IT'S not every day a Filipino youngster who eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball gets to witness a high-caliber talent showcase his skills in living color.
Philippine basketball just got a taste of that, as Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant made time for Manila to jumpstart the month and cap off his 'Make Them Watch' tour with Nike.
READ: Ja Morant takes it to Manila skies days after injury scare in China
High school players from barangays and a few lucky fans packed The Courtyard in BGC — an upgraded covered court setting — with the crowd also spilling beyond the fences.
Though the heat was scorching, the crowd stayed electric, watching the action alongside Rhenz Abando, CJ Cansino, Jeron Teng, Ricci Rivero, Jack Animam, and Marga Jimenez, with performances from dancers amping up the vibe for Morant’s iconic ‘Griddy’ moves.
For the love of the game
It was a surreal scene, of course, even more so with the event highlighting equal opportunities for both girls and boys.
And for Animam, who tirelessly advocates for breaking barriers in basketball, it means the world.
“Makita yung ganito karaming babae to join this event, sobrang happy. Nung bata ako, wala, but now, unti-unti, meron, and these girls, talagang may skills and talents,” she told the media in a quick scrum.
“We’re a basketball-crazed country. Dapat lang na dito sila (NBA stars) pumunta, so the kids can see, kasi representation matters.”
Phoenix guard Rivero also emphasized how necessary events like these are to intensify youngsters' love for hoops.
“Nike events were a big part of my career. It’s something I treasure a lot and madadala mo talaga in the future,” he told SPIN.ph.
“Sobrang laking bagay nito sa mga bata. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of these, and now we can’t take these chances for granted.”
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