WNBA and Olympic champion Sabrina Ionescu spent her final day in Manila continuing her mission of inspiring young female athletes, unveiling two new basketball courts in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, and joining a community celebration filled with traditional Filipino games.
After a memorable exhibition game at Smart Araneta Coliseum with some of the Philippines’ best basketball talents, Ionescu traveled to Bulacan to lead a special skills camp for Girls Got Game (GGG), a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women through sports.
Nike and Girls Got Game build courts for future Filipina ballers
Held at Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) in Sta. Maria, the event saw Nike and GGG launch two newly designed multi-purpose courts, inspired by their shared vision of expanding the basketball community in the Philippines.
The vibrant courts—similar in concept to The Courtyard in BGC—were officially unveiled by Ionescu, Filipina visual artist Jill Arteche, and the young athletes of GGG. As the campers peeled off tile coverings from the corners of the courts to reveal the final design, an emotional Ionescu embraced them and shared a heartfelt message.
“I want to thank you. I hope you guys enjoy this and keep on going forward. Continue to work really hard and chase your dreams,” she said.
Empowering young girls through design and sport
The two courts were designed to celebrate the strength and ambition of young Filipina athletes while incorporating elements of Filipino culture and identity:
- ‘Break The Barrier’ Outdoor Court – Encourages young girls to challenge stereotypes and claim their space in basketball.
- ‘Realizing Their Dreams’ Indoor Court – Symbolizes the journey of girls pursuing their aspirations and defining success on their own terms.
A fiesta welcome in Barangay Caysio
After the camp, Ionescu received a warm and colorful Filipino welcome in Barangay Caysio, where the community prepared a fiesta in her honor. Under festive banderitas and an archway, she immersed herself in traditional Filipino games and got a true taste of local culture and hospitality.
Next stop: China and Hong Kong
With her Philippine tour complete, Ionescu now heads to Guangzhou, China, where she will:
- Meet local athletes
- Visit historic basketball courts
- Host a grassroots basketball camp for girls
Following Guangzhou, her journey continues in Hong Kong, where she will experience street basketball culture and visit schools to inspire students to break barriers in life and sports.
Ionescu’s impact on young female athletes in the Philippines is set to leave a lasting legacy, proving that basketball knows no boundaries—and neither do the dreams of the next generation of Filipina ballers.
