MANILA, Philippines — WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu drew a warm welcome in his return to Manila as part of her three-day visit in the hoops-crazy country.

From her last visit seven years ago as a student-athlete from University of Oregon and member of Team USA in the Fiba 3×3 World Cup 2018 at Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Ionescu, now a WNBA champion and Paris Olympics gold medalist, was amazed by the energy and excitement of Filipinos upon her arrival.

“Obviously, I didn’t know what to expect but being able to see all the love coming here from the fans it means so much to me for everyone to be able to support me all the way back in the United States, to be able to come back here and see everyone in person and feel the energy is a blessing and it’s something that I never take for granted,” said Ionescu during her talk at Nike Fort on Monday.

READ: Sabrina Ionescu set for Manila visit

Sabrina Ionescu holds a shooting drill fro Filipino ballers. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/gQqLHfS6te

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 10, 2025

The New York Liberty guard, who celebrated her wedding anniversary with her husband and NFL player Hroniss Grasu in Manila, had an inspiring talk with National University star Camille Clarin, Gilas Pilipinas and Ginebra floor general LA Tenorio, and longtime La Salle Lady Archers coach Cholo Villanueva.

The 5-foot-11 deadshot, who was the first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, went straight to the courtyard to join the Philippine basketball community for shooting drills with UAAP stars led by two-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa of Ateneo, UP’s Louna Ozar, and other Gilas women players. 

Sabrina Ionescu heats up! @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/00jCEFzGPQ

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 10, 2025

As women’s basketball continues to reach greater heights globally, especially in the US through the WNBA and NCAA, the 27-year-old Ionescu vows to keep on contributing to growing the sport. 

“I think when you get to kind of this point at a professional level and you currently kind of understand,  it’s about being the best in your sport, wanting to do what you can in the court. But it’s a lot bigger than that,” she said.

READ: Sabrina Ionescu 3-pointer is latest iconic shot in WNBA history

Filipino basketball community welcomes Sabrina Ionescu. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lJiGupZV62

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 10, 2025

“It’s kind of eye-opening to be able to see how many lives we’re able to impact and sometimes, when you’re in it, you don’t really realize. But being able to come here and across the world and you’re able to see how the game continues to grow and how to continue change it is really what’s important and what is all about.”

Women’s basketball in the Philippines has also risen to prominence thanks to Gilas Pilipinas’ international success. The budding rivalry between NU and UST in UAAP women’s basketball has also contributed to women’s basketball’s popularity in the country. NU and UST’s championship clash last December even set a record in crowd attendance.

The country also saw the creation of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, which was founded last year as an avenue for more female ballers in the country.

Like the late Kobe Bryant and LeBron James and other NBA stars who inspired generations of basketball players and fans in the country during their respective visits, Ionescu’s Manila tour hopes to take Philippine women’s basketball to another level.