NBA star Ja Morant soaks up Pinoy culture

August 5 ------ TWO-TIME NBA All-Star Ja Morant soaked up some Filipino culture in his two-day visit to the country.

Ja Morant wrapped up his “Make Them Watch” tour in the Philippines after stops in China and Japan, making the most of his visit with an energetic evening at The Courtyard in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The Memphis Grizzlies guard showed off his “Griddy” moves that he does in the NBA whenever he scores a bucket and also gave in to the crowd’s wish to see him dunk.

The 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year witnessed “Pinoy basketball,” with an exhibition game between the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers and Team 12, a young squad that represents the passion and pride of barangay basketball. He delighted Filipino basketball fans after interacting with young hoopers and inspiring the next generation of athletes. “It’s been good. Everybody has been very welcoming and loving to me and my fam. Super excited to be here,” he said. He concluded his visit by signing Locker No. 12 at The Courtyard, leaving his own mark at the iconic court and joining the growing list of elite athletes who have left their imprint there.

Meanwhile, PBA guard CJ Cansino subtly relates to Morant after seeing him in person. As Filipino basketball fans avidly await the first full-blooded Filipino to play on the NBA stage, a moment like this for Cansino reminds him that anything is possible. “First of all, this isn’t just a simple thing. Seeing an NBA player in person, then I realized that he’s as tall as I am, and we have similar bodies, so I can say that it’s possible,” Cansino said after an exhibition game between the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers and Team 12 with Morant on the sidelines. “You’ll be more energized and inspired, and your motivation will increase because you’ll see that everything is possible,” he added.

Source: manilatimes.net