Fans get tickets for LeBron event Wednesday; many others remain hopeful

Fans sign up for temporary stubs at the Nike Bonifacion High Street store ahead of the ticket release for LeBron’s Witness History tour in Manila. Photo from Bonifacio High Street Facebook account.

MANILA, Philippines — After more than a day’s wait, Nike Philippines on Wednesday started releasing the coveted tickets for LeBron James’ “Witness History” tour here on July 23.

At least 2,000 fans, who endured long lines and pouring rain at the company’s flagship store in Bonifacio High Street since Monday night, were given go-signal to claim tickets for the Mall of Asia Arena event.

They were given a reprieve when the event organizers released stubs — which served temporary tickets — on Tuesday night, allowing the fans to go home and just come back the next day.

But there are still those who wanted to try their luck, undaunted by the long lines, and camped out at the parking lot at midnight on Wednesday.

One of them was Basil Reyno, 20, who has been waiting in line at Nike since 1 a.m. He and his college friends even brought sleeping mats.

“We saw that the line was long already before going here, but we still wanted to try and get tickets,” Reyno told INQUIRER.net.

The organizers, though, are still waiting for those who were issued stubs to claim their tickets before they start entertaining those waiting outside, Reyno was told.

But to those still planning to head to the venue on Wednesday afternoon, Nike said that the lines are already closed to newcomers.

The four-time NBA MVP James, who steered the Miami Heat to a second straight title last June, is paying the Philippines a one-day visit.