Ionescu fires up Gilas Women stars

Members of Gilas Women are determined to ramp up their respective games after seeing Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) champion Sabrina Ionescu.

Gilas guard Camille Clarin said seeing the New York Liberty point guard in action will inspire the next generation of female players after getting up close with one of the best WNBA players.

Ionescu is in town as part of the “Sabrina Ionescu Asia Tour” as she is also slated to visit Guangzhou, China and Hong Kong.

“Like she said, it’s those losses, they’re part of the game and I think that detaching yourself from the outcome and just enjoying the process of becoming a better player, loving the game. I think that’s what I took away from the conversation the most,” Clarin said.

“I think it’s great to show that they’re really taking the women’s game seriously now and for them to put a face to the game, I think it’s such a great experience for the young girls to see that with that work, with that dedication to the game, things like this are possible.”

Also present during Ionescu’s skills camp in Bonifacio Global City was Jhazmin Joson.

Joson said she hopes they will be able to see each other again in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany.

Gilas Women needs to make it to the top six of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup In Shenzhen, China, which will take place from 13 to 20 July, to secure a World Cup slot.

“Her (Ionescu) being here, it motivates us because we can dream as big as her and be able to do what she is doing,” Joson said.

“We’re working really hard on that. I hope we see her in the World Cup.”

Two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player and Ateneo de Manila University center Kasey dela Rosa said she hopes to emulate Ionescu’s shooting touch.