WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu set for Manila visit
Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty reacts after a turnover in the second half against the Minnesota Lynx during Game Five of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 20, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime to win the championship. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—WNBA champion and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu is set to visit the country for the first time ever to kick off her Asia tour.
Ionescu will be heading Manila in hopes of empowering “young hoopers” of a basketball-crazed country like the Philippines.
“I’m excited to connect with basketball fans across Manila, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, especially young hoopers. You can feel their passion for the game, even from New York,” Ionescu said, pertaining to her tour with Nike.
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“Together we will celebrate the game, and I hope we inspire each other to achieve our dreams with dedication, commitment and hard work.”
Ionescu, a gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will have a panel talk with coaches and athletes at the Nike store in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on March 10.
She will also hold a basketball clinic at the nearby The Courtyard basketball court.
Ionescu then concludes her 2025 Sabrina Manila Tour: Craft the Future Showcase at Araneta Coliseum for an exhibition game and a 3-point shootout event on March 11.
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Among the highlights of Ionescu’s trip is the launch of her signature sneaker collaboration.
The 27-year-old Ionescu will also visit Guangzhou, China and Hong Kong as part of her tour.
Ionescu’s Manila tour is open to the public. Fans can register at https://www.nike.com/ph/basketball with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ionescu helped the Liberty win their first WNBA title, outlasting the Minnesota Lynx in overtime of Game 5 of the finals last October.
