Title: JA IN MANILA: The Show Arrives on the Streets of the Philippines 🇵🇭🔥
MANILA, Philippines — August 1, 2025.
The energy is electric, the anticipation palpable. Street courts across Metro Manila have been buzzing for weeks, but now, it’s official: NBA superstar Ja Morant is set to touch down in the Philippines for the first time ever, headlining the Nike “Make Them Watch” Tour. And it’s not just any appearance—he’s taking over The Courtyard in BGC at 5:00 PM sharp, where fans, ballers, influencers, and local legends are expected to flood the open-air arena for a night of athletic brilliance and cultural fusion.
Fresh off a resurgent 2024–25 NBA season in which he averaged 26.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, Morant is once again at the center of the basketball universe. Known for his lightning-quick first step, gravity-defying dunks, and fearless attitude, Ja isn’t just a player—he’s a movement. And this tour, aptly titled “Make Them Watch,” is more than a promo run—it’s a global flex of his influence, style, and storytelling.
The Philippines, where basketball is woven into the national DNA, is stop number four on a five-country Nike circuit. And Manila? It’s special.
“Filipino fans are next level,” Ja said in a pre-tour Nike teaser. “They know the game. They feel it. I’ve seen the love from afar. Now I want to experience it up close.”
Nike has spared no detail. The Courtyard, one of the city’s hottest urban basketball hubs, has been transformed. Neon signage, Morant murals, and exclusive Ja 3.0 sneakers plaster every corner. Rumors swirl of an unreleased “Manila Nights” colorway set to drop during the event—black base, chrome swoosh, with electric blue and jeepney-inspired graphics. Only 500 pairs, exclusive to this stop.
The program is expected to kick off with a live dunk exhibition by elite Filipino streetballers, followed by a skills challenge featuring select UAAP and PBA rookies. At center stage: Ja Morant himself, lacing up and running a high-octane scrimmage with local hoopers, including a surprise guest appearance by Kai Sotto, who’s currently gearing up for his second season in the NBA.
But what makes this moment deeper than flash and fashion is what Ja represents: freedom, resilience, and raw artistry. His story—rising from unranked high school prospect to franchise cornerstone—is one that resonates with millions of Filipinos grinding on and off the court. In a country where outdoor hoops are often played under monsoon skies, with tattered nets and DIY backboards, Ja’s relentless drive mirrors their spirit.
“He’s not just coming here to wave at fans,” said Nike Philippines rep Carla Ignacio. “Ja wants to connect. To hoop, to talk, to inspire. That’s why it’s called ‘Make Them Watch’—because you can’t ignore greatness when it walks right past you.”
As the countdown hits zero and Ja Morant lands in Manila, the city braces for a sports-culture moment it won’t soon forget. The Courtyard will roar. The cameras will roll. And one of the NBA’s most electrifying stars will remind the world—and the Philippines—why they’re all watching now.
JA IN MANILA. IT’S HAPPENING. 🇵🇭🔥
