Ja Morant during the Philippine stop of his “Make Them Watch” tour on Friday. –HANDOUT PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Jack Animam and CJ Cansino relished Ja Morant’s first-ever visit to the Philippines, believing the NBA All-Star will inspire more young Filipino ballers.
Animam and Cansino were among the lucky players to play in front of the Memphis Grizzlies guard during his visit last Friday at the Courtyard in Bonifacio Global City to promote his third Nike signature shoe.
READ: Ja Morant brings swag, dunks to fans in first Manila visit
Animam believes Morant’s visit will make a huge impact on Philippine women’s basketball after young female ballers also saw action in his ‘Make Them Watch’ tour.
“Honestly, seeing this many girls joining an event like this makes me super happy. When I was younger, this kind of thing didn’t exist, but now it’s slowly starting to happen,” Animam told the reporters in Filipino. “We’re a basketball-crazy country, so it only makes sense for big basketball stars to come here, so kids can see them in person. Representation really matters. And watching these girls play, it’s not just for fun, they’ve got real skills and talent. It’s just amazing.”
READ: Jack Animam banners Gilas Women in Fiba Asia Cup
Animam, fresh from Gilas Fiba Asia Cup stint, said Morant is a testament that your time will come as long as you keep on working hard.
“I think the lesson is that nobody said that it’s gonna be easy but you have to continue working and keep going and keep the faith because at the end of the day, one day, you’re gonna be in the spotlight, all the lights are going to be on you, all the cameras are gonna be on you and that just shows Ja Morant’s journey,” she said.
Cansino, who also shared the court with San Miguel Beermen’s Jeron Teng, Phoenix’s Ricci Rivero, Rhenze Abando, former La Salle women’s player Marga Jimenez, and viral Palarong Pambansa baller Andrei Ugaddan, was honored to play in front of an NBA star, who won the Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player.
Ja Morant during the Philippine stop of his “Make Them Watch” tour on Friday. –HANDOUT PHOTO
“It’s not every day something like that happens. Just seeing an NBA player in person, realizing we’re about the same height, same build, it really makes you think, “It is possible,” Cansino said in Filipino. “When someone like that is around, it pushes you even more. It inspires and motivates you in playing, because now you really believe it can happen.”
“Definitely. As a player, you always look up to NBA players and what they’ve been through. Ja Morant is one of those guys for me. I’m really happy went here in Manila,” he added.
The Meralco Bolts guard said his rookie year in the PBA was an eye-opener. And he’s eager to continue to unlock his potential in the pros after seeing Morant.
“My rookie year taught me a lot. Now that I’ve been through it, I know what I need to work on. So going into my second year, I’m focused on improving those things,” said the former University of the Philippines star.
“With Meralco, I realized that just because I did well in the UAAP doesn’t mean I can do the exact same thing in the PBA. I had to set my ego aside, accept the role given to me, and work hard at it.”
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In the final stop of his Asia tour, Morant showed his swag and love to the Philippine basketball community through his fan service, his dance moves, and electrifying dunks.
