Romwel Anzures

NBA star Ja Morant with Filipino basketball stars and hopefuls in Nike’s Make Them Watch Tour 2025. Photo handout.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754058100760DCIM-67.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="NBA star Ja Morant with Filipino basketball stars and hopefuls in Nike’s Make Them Watch Tour 2025. Photo handout. "/>NBA star Ja Morant with Filipino basketball stars and hopefuls in Nike’s Make Them Watch Tour 2025. Photo handout. MANILA — CJ Cansino was among those who were able to get up close with NBA star Ja Morant who made his first-ever visit to the Philippines on Friday.</div>The Meralco Bolts standout saw action in an exhibition game of Morant’s Make Them Watch tour at The Courtyard in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, with Cansino teaming up with his former University of Santo Tomas teammate Rhenz Abando against the likes of Ricci Rivero and Jeron Teng.But aside from Cansino displaying a bit of his prowess to Morant and his crew, what is more special for the UAAP champion guard is seeing one of the NBA players that he takes inspiration from in terms of recovering from injuries.“Marami na siyang pinagdaanan pero andito parin siya, tumutulong at nagiging inspirasyon sa mga bata,” said the fan-favorite ace. “Pinapakita niya na kahit ano pwede at posible.”Early in his, Cansino career battled with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and he said that Morant, whose campaign in the NBA’s 2023-24 season was cut to only nine games due to a right shoulder injury, gave him hope that he could still prosper despite his past setbacks.“Yung hard work at consistency niya [ang gusto ko],” said Cansino. “Makikita naman natin sa NBA, ano na siya eh, na-injury, pero bumalik na.”“‘Pag player ka, ganyan eh, titignan mo yung ibang players at yung pinagdaanan nila eh. Isa si Ja Morant doon, kaya sobrang happy ko, na nandito siya sa Maynila,” he added.Morant eventually returned and led the Memphis Grizzlies back to the playoffs after delivering 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and a career-best 1.2 steals in his 2024-25 season.Cansino, for his part, is coming off his rookie year in the PBA with Meralco and served as one of their key players, putting up 8.7 markers, 2.7 boards, almost an assist, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 32 games.And with the lessons that both he got from Morant as well as his first year in the league, CJ is ready to take on the next step come Season 50.“Marami akong natutunan, kaya mas alam ko na yung gagawin ko at gagawin ko. Sa second year ko, application na lang,” he said. “Nagpadagdag ako sa katawan, plus five kilos, kailangan ko yun sa depensa at sa opensa.”

CJ Cansino was among those who were able to get up close with NBA star Ja Morant who made his first-ever visit to the Philippines on Friday.

CJ Cansino was among those who were able to get up close with NBA star Ja Morant who made his first-ever visit to the Philippines on Friday.

Why Ja Morant is an inspiration for CJ Cansino

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Why Ja Morant is an inspiration for CJ Cansino

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 02, 2025 12:17 PM PHT

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