JUST in time for the celebration of National Women’s Month in the Philippines, WNBA great Sabrina Ionescu was greeted warmly by Manila’s hoop fans upon her return after seven years.
There’s no better way to commemorate Women’s Month than to welcome one of the most empowering women in sports to your country. Not to mention, the Philippines is the first stop of Ionescu’s inaugural Asia tour.
Photo Courtesy: @sabrina_i | Instagram
I mean, if you want to make a list of women who have had outstanding careers in a male-dominated industry, Ionescu should surely be included. Some even consider her the WNBA’s Stephen Curry.
Her Nike shoe brand has also been successful, as it is one of the most purchased and worn sneakers among male athletes. Without a doubt, her name has already been etched into the history books of women’s basketball.
Sabrina Manila Tour
When Ionescu arrived on Sunday night for the 2025 Sabrina Manila Tour: Craft the Future, she was greeted warmly by the country’s basketball fans, as seen in a video posted on her social media accounts.
She had an interesting morning yesterday, traveling the classic Filipino jeepney to the Nike Fort for a panel alongside National University’s Camille Clarin, La Salle coach Cholo Villanueva, and PBA great LA Tenorio.
The New York Liberty guard made sure to show some love to her Pinoy fans as she exited the building, greeting those who had waited beneath the blazing sun to see her in person.
Fans, many of whom had bought her WNBA apparel, screamed her name and requested photographs as the Filipinos took advantage of the opportunity to meet the WNBA champion.
Photo Courtesy: @slamonlineph | Instagram
“To be able to come back here and see everyone in person and feel the energy, this is a blessing and something that I never take for granted,” Ionescu said, in an interview with a few media and fans at Nike Fort.
Following that, the WNBA player showcased her on-court skills with some of the country’s Filipino ballers during a hoops clinic in Taguig. They had drills and competed in three-point contests at BGC’s Courtyard.
“If you want to be the best, you put hours in the gym, you go out and protect your craft. You just need to keep working hard, trust in the process, and make sure to put the work in,” she told the basketball players in attendance.
Kacey Dela Rosa and Jhaz Joson of Ateneo de Manila University, Louna Ozar of the University of the Philippines, and Marga Jimenez of De La Salle University were among the current and former UAAP women’s basketball standouts in attendance.
Elevating Women’s Basketball
It can be remembered that Ionescu first visited Manila in 2018 as a member of Team USA for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup. Their young team finished fifth in the tournament that was won by Italy.
Back then, she could still go around the Philippine Arena in Bulacan without being crowded by fans. While her name grew bigger in the United States, she also established it in the Philippines.
This may be linked to the rise of women’s basketball in the US, which is gradually but steadily translating in the Philippines, as seen in how last season’s UAAP women’s basketball championships drew a lot of attention.
Photo Courtesy: @slamonlineph | Instagram
“It feels amazing to see that so many people, girls and boys, are so excited to see a player of this caliber, because game respects game,” UAAP Season 87 champion Clarin told a media during an interview.
“And I think that it just goes to show that once you put women on that pedestal, people are gonna follow and people are gonna recognize her for what she is, and the greatness that she represents,” she added.
Testament of Greatness
Furthermore, Clarin stated that Ionescu’s presence and how the crowd greeted her demonstrates how women’s basketball has evolved in the country over time, despite being less conventional than men’s.
“To see is to believe. Especially here in the Philippines, women’s basketball isn’t as glorified as the men’s,” Clarin explained, regarding how women’s experience differs from the men’s.
“So I think for Sabrina to be here, the first Nike athlete to come here after the pandemic, it shows that they are taking the women’s game seriously now. It’s a great experience for the young girls to see that,” she added.
Indeed, women’s basketball has increasingly gained popularity among spectators. While it is a sport designed for males, there is no denying that women can bring the same excitement to the game.
Ionescu’s fans will see her again today at 4:00 p.m., when she goes to Araneta Coliseum. for the Craft the Future showcase. Meanwhile, her first Asia tour will end on Wednesday, March 12, with a visit to the Girls Got Game court in Bulacan.
