LeBron James Wows Fans, Touches Hearts in Manila at Nike Rise Event
LeBron James came back to Manila to fulfill a promise he made two years ago to his fans in the Philippines during the Nike Rise event. His last stop during his Asia tour which included China, James took his talents to the SM Mall of Asia Arena and promptly went about giving fans a show the moment he stepped on the court for an exhibition game.
"“I think my story speaks for itself, you know I was a kid who didn’t believe that I can’t make my dream become a reality, and I know it will take a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice and a lot of love.”Posted by Cavs Nation on Friday, 21 August 2015"
His introduction gave the crowd goosebumps. His words were encouraging. And, of course, his acrobatic dunks wowed the crowd as he soared to the hoop. Along the way on this trip, he decided to inspire an impoverished community with his presence.
In 2013, I was a witness to the King’s first visit to Manila since his career started in the NBA. Nike sponsored that event, too, which was aptly titled “Witness.” The shoe company gave away two tickets for free to each person who lines up in front of their main Nike Park store at Bonifacio Glabal City.
Recognizing how scarce tickets would be, the first fan to line up went to the store and camped there two days before tickets were to be distributed. Soon, the rest of LeBron’s adoring Filipino fans followed suit and braved the rains just to get a couple of tickets to catch a glimpse of the two-time NBA champion. As big LeBron fans, my friend and I went there to camp overnight, too, before the rains prompted Nike to simply issue temporary passes that night so fans can come back the next day to claim their tickets instead.
Thank you, Nike.
This year, in order to get a pair of tickets to the event, all fans had to do was log-in and register at the LeBron James Rise Tour portal. The event summary reads as follows:
LeBron James is back to lead aspiring basketball players to fight through obstacles and realize their true potential. No one knows better than The King, that overcoming adversity builds character and strength. Now, he’s here to show you how to power through every challenge and rise above it all.
Register with a friend now to personally meet LeBron James and see how he inspires all to “Rise Beyond Belief”.
On August 14, registration opened at 9 AM. In less than 15 minutes, fans had quickly gobbled up whatever tickets could be had leaving other would-be witnesses left wanting. I was one of them. Was I going to miss the King’s second coming to Manila?
The event was on Thursday, August 20 and it was already the 19th with no ticket or free pass coming my way after a few tries. My prayers were answered on the day of the event when a friend informed me that he had an extra ticket (lower box, too!) that his friend wouldn’t be able to use.
I was ecstatic, to say the least, as I looked forward to seeing the best player on the planet live on the court once more. By the time he was introduced on stage around 8 PM at the M.O.A. Arena, he was greeted by countless fans with cheers and roars of approval from his Filipino Witnesses who have eagerly awaited his return.
James was interviewed for a few minutes by host and radio personality Boom Gonzales where he talked about his return to the Philippines and how he remembered what it was like being here the first time. He also spoke about his motivation in being an inspiration to the Nike Rise team, composed of twelve young basketball players formed from the grassroots level headed by former Philippine National coach Chot Reyes.
An exhibition game followed with Nike endorsers among those invited to participate in the game together with the Nike Rise team. The clear fan favorite was Kristine Cayabyab, the only lady to make it to Nike Rise. Not only did she score more than a few baskets in the game, she also stole the show at halftime when she beat out a fellow Rise team member and a couple of amateur basketball players in the three-point shoot-out, scoring 15 net-scorching points. At different points in the shootout, she had the crowd going wild as she scored four baskets in a row twice!
LeBron was so taken by the charisma and basketball wizardry of the 12-year old that he gave her a signed basketball and even signed her Nike shoes.
LeBron was so taken by the charisma and basketball wizardry of the 12-year old that he gave her a signed basketball and even signed her Nike shoes. Wow!
Going back to the exhibition match, James didn’t come in until a little more than six minutes left in the ball game. As he prepared to step onto the court, the energy in the building began to rise and you can almost feel the electricity in the air.
Moments later, Lebron hammered down a thunderous dunk and the fans went crazy! A few more dunks later and everyone lost their minds as the King went on a dunking exhibition reserved mostly for the slam dunk contest. It was a show that very few people in the world get to see in person and I was seated in the same building that the King is using as his personal basketball playground. What a privilege!
The game’s result didn’t matter to the fans. All we cared about was seeing the King take the court and own it!
Afterwards, LeBron spoke once more, inspiring us for the second time and let the crowd know that he loves his Filipino fans. The Arena rocked once again!
James visited the Tenement in Bicutan, Taguig where he saw the unveiling of a basketball court with his image on it courtesy of Nike and painted by local artists.
Soon after, LeBron posted a video on Bleacher Report, thanking his Filipino fans while looking forward to visiting Manila once again.
The next day, James visited the Tenement in Bicutan, Taguig where he saw the unveiling of a basketball court with his image on it courtesy of Nike and painted by local artists. Thousands of fans gathered to see the Cleveland Cavaliers star in person. Needless to say, everyone who was there was inspired by his presence in their community.
LeBron later posted on Instagram a top view photo of the beautifully designed court and shared about the difficult living conditions of the families living around it.
As aware as he is about his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates on the NBA court, James was just as keenly aware of this basketball court’s surroundings composed of the families who lived around it.
Spin.ph witnessed the event which included a ceremony where James made handprints and signed on the cement cast.
"“Of course it’s humbling to know that you’re inspiring people all over the world, all the way to your homeland,” James said. “I’m also grateful… It’s a really cool thing that they would do something like that in their home and allow me to be an inspiration to them. Hopefully I can stay there forever and make my mark here but to be there today and to see those kids, all those families. To have that sense of hope and bringing that hope. They all need each other to be great and they’re definitely going there.”"
Afterwards, LeBron capped off his busy day by visiting the Nike Park store at BGC for the unveiling of a Philippine exclusive LeBron James basketball shoe.
Later, he took to social media and posted a video of him about to hit the weight room at 4:45 AM on the day that he was about to leave for the US!
James’ second visit to the Philippines was a huge success not only because he performed for the crowd in another packed stadium but even more so because he inspired the Philippines to rise above the challenges and adversities facing us.
As you go and try to capture that elusive first championship for the city of Cleveland, we hope we have inspired you, too. You have some of the best fans in the world in the Philippines watching you, cheering your every move and supporting you even when you fail so you can rise above your adversities. You taught us that much.
Thank you, LeBron.