Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) champion Sabrina Ionescu felt the love from Filipino fans during the second day of her Manila Tour last Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The New York Liberty point guard encouraged aspiring players to follow their dreams like she did when she started her WNBA career.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone and to all those young boys and girls in the arena. The legacy that I want to share is for you to leave the game better than you found it,” Ionescu said before a handful of fans Filipino who trooped to the venue to see the 27-year-old sniper in action as part of her three-nation Asia Tour.

“Continue to grow the game of basketball and just show up. Continue to dream big, because you can do it.”

Ionescu flaunted her shooting skills during an exhibition match with stars from both the collegiate and professional ranks.

She scored 23 points and played for both teams in an exhibition game as Team Puso, led by Barangay Ginebra veteran LA Tenorio, delivered a 79-69 victory over Team Laban, which was bannered by Magnolia guard Paul Lee.

Ionescu also participated in a three-point shooting contest that included Philippine Basketball Association three-point king Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel Beer, Gilas Women veterans Khate Castillo and Janine Pontejos and Luisa San Juan of De La Salle University.

Castillo pulled off an upset as she sank 19 points compared to Ionescu’s 16 points.

After the Philippines, the Paris Olympics gold medalist is set to go to Guangzhou, China and Hong Kong next as she hopes to inspire more young female basketball players.