Ja Morant during the Philippine stop of his “Make Them Watch” tour on Friday. –HANDOUT PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —NBA player Ja Morant relished his first-ever visit to the Philippines, showing love to the local basketball community through fan service, dance moves, and electrifying dunks on Friday at the Courtyard.
Promoting his third Nike signature tour with Manila as the final stop of his “Make Them Watch” series, Morant had no media availability, but there was no shortage of entertainment for the fans who got to witness his swag on and off the court.
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The Memphis Grizzlies guard entered the venue riding a hoop jeepney for his short but sweet stop in the country.
Ja Morant shows his swag. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/85rHp6zoPC
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 1, 2025
“It’s been good. Everybody has been very welcoming and loving to me and my fam. I’m super excited to be here,” Morant said.
The NBA All-Star granted a fan’s birthday wish, bringing him down from the stands for a photo opportunity and gifting him a fresh pair of Ja 3s.
READ: Ja Morant ‘excited to be back’ after successful NBA season debut
Another supporter, who had Morant’s face tattooed on his body, caught the point guard’s attention and got his signature on the same spot for his next tattoo.
The 25-year-old Morant also joined Filipino dancers to hit the “griddy,” then capped the show with two electrifying dunks.
He interrupted the Team Barangay and Team La Salle game in the fourth quarter, catching an alley-oop from one of his crew and slamming it down with flair.
Fans chanted for more, and Morant obliged with a soaring two-handed slam.
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Morant, a 2020 Rookie of the Year and 2022 Most Improved Player, shared the court with San Miguel Beermen’s Jeron Teng, Phoenix’s Ricci Rivero, and Marga Jimenez, who played for La Salle.
Rhenz Abando led Team Barangay and even earned a high five from Morant after his dunk as he played with CJ Cansino, Jack Animam, and viral Palarong Pambansa baller Andrei Ugaddan.