New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu was given a hero’s welcome when she arrived in Manila, Philippines, on Monday for part one of her Asia tour with Nike. Fans filled the streets of Manila just so they could catch a glimpse of the three-time WNBA All-Star, as seen in videos shared on X.
Ionescu last came to the Philippines seven years ago as a student-athlete from the University of Oregon and a member of Team USA in the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Now the reigning WNBA champion and a one-time Olympic gold medalist, her arrival generated a massive buzz and was met with energy and excitement from her Filipino fans.
During her stay in Manila, the 27-year-old is set to host a pair of youth basketball clinics, play some street basketball, visit schools, and watch a championship game between teams of young women with aspirations of turning pro in the future. She will also be involved in a Nike retail store takeover for the reveal of her new Nike Sabrina 2 collaboration shoes.
“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,” said Ionescu in February.
Sabrina Ionescu gets a stake in NWSL’s Bay FC
Apart from basketball, Sabrina Ionescu is also passionate about soccer. Just a few days ago, the New York Liberty star joined the National Women’s Soccer League’s Bay FC as an investor and commercial advisor. On Monday, she excitedly released a statement regarding her latest venture into women’s soccer.
“I have full faith in the Club’s vision and its potential to make a profound impact within and beyond women’s soccer. The Bay FC team and I look forward to driving branding partnerships for the Bay FC athletes and contributing to the overall success of the Club,” Ionescu said.
The Bay FC made their NWSL debut last year and are set to play their second season this year. With Ionescu financially involved, it will be interesting to see the roster moves that the team will make.
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