Filipinos Bask in Spoelstra's Success as Heat Coach
2012 NBA Finals
Porac, Pampanga, Philippines
The controversial loss of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to Timothy Bradley broke millions of Filipino hearts, bringing the Philippines to a state of mourning.
Some Filipinos broke into tears while others were speechless after hearing Michael Buffer's announcement that Bradley won by split decision during their June 9 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
But the pain brought by Pacquiao's loss has been eased with the victory of Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra's Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, giving them a reason to hold their heads up high again.
Spoelstra made history as the first Filipino and Asian coach to steer a major US professional sports team to a championship after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-1, in the best-of-seven series.
"I'm no Miami Heat fan as I was rooting for the Thunder," confessed jeepney driver Ernesto Layno of Porac, Pampanga. "But I'm very proud of what coach Erik has achieved for our country and for all of us Filipinos."
"It certainly helps to have another Filipino achiever in the field of sports. In some way, it helps us forget what happened to Manny (Pacquiao)," added Aldwyn Comayas, another jeepney driver waiting for early morning passengers going to the public market in Angeles City.
Comayas said Filipinos should also learn from Spoelstra's perseverance amid criticism after the Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks last year during the first season of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh playing together in the land of oranges.
Malacanang also congratulated Spoelstra for bringing glory to the Filipino people once again after winning the NBA championship.
"Although the Office of the President did not side with any team, it is proud of the fact that the Miami Heat's coach is of Filipino descent," said Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
Spoelstra's mother, Elisa Celino, is from San Pablo, Laguna. His Dutch-Irish-American father, Jon Spoelstra, worked as an executive with various NBA teams.
A starting guard at the University of Portland, Spoelstra considered playing for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in 1992 after his college days in the Pacific Northwest.
But his plan did not materialize. Instead he saw action in Germany before getting hired as a video coordinator by the Miami Heat in 1995.
Spoelstra has visited the Philippines for the past three summers to conduct basketball clinics.
On his website, Spoelstra shared how he felt during his trips to the Philippines. "Both trips were transformational — truly life changing. I was born and raised in the US, and even though I visited the Philippines when I was a kid, I've always wanted a stronger connection with the culture and my family living there," he said.
Spoelstra is proud of his Filipino lineage and said he wants the world to know that Filipinos "are rabid basketball fanatics, and it's been that way for a while," as he told the CBS affiliate in Miami.
He also mentioned how his family flew over from the Philippines last weekend to watch the NBA Finals.
They have much to be proud of in a coach that persevered, guiding a team that did the same.
- Kevin Garnett Returns to Celtics
- Celtics Take Shot on Ex-Ohio State Star Jared Sullinger
- Chris Bosh to Rest Abdominals and Skip Olympics
- Kentucky Two-Fer: Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist Top Picks in NBA Draft
- NBA Doctors Red Flag Perry Jones III Due to Knee Issue
- Pistons Deal Ben Gordon and First Round Pick to Charlotte for Maggette
- Rockets Trade Budinger to T-Wolves for 18th Pick
- Larry Bird to Leave Post as Pacers President
- OKC Will Try to Regain Thunder After Defeat to Heat
- NBA Will Not Invite Ex-Ohio State Star Jared Sullinger to Draft
- D-Will Considering Nets and Mavs
- Filipinos Bask in Spoelstra's Success as Heat Coach
- 'King' Gets His Crown: LeBron, Heat Thrash Thunder for NBA Title
- Ailing Lebron Helps Heat Top Thunder, Take 3-1 Lead in NBA Finals
- Lakers Guard Sessions to Turn Free Agent
- LeBron James Double-Double Lifts Heat Over Thunder for 2-1 Series Lead
- Westbrook Unfazed by Criticism for Shooting Too Much
- LeBron James, Heat Top Thunder in Game 2 of NBA Finals
- NBA's David Stern and Radio Host Jim Rome Exchange Verbal Jabs
- Jeff Van Gundy Understands Cleveland's Animosity Toward LeBron
- Kevin Durant, Thunder Top Heat; Take Game 1 of NBA Finals
- Heat's Big Three Come Through in Game 7 Win Over Celtics
- Heat's Big Three Come Through in Game 7 Win Over Celtics
- LeBron's 45 Points Crush Celtics
- Durant Powers Oklahoma City Thunder to NBA Finals
- Cavs Eye North Carolina's Harrison Barnes as Possible Draft Pick
- Trail Blazers Appoint ex-Clipper Executive Olshey as GM
- Garnett Double-Double, Pierce Clutch Trey Lift Celts Over Heat
- Thunder Push Spurs to Brink with Game 5 Road Win
- Celtics Survive Heat in OT; Even series at 2-2
- Durant, Ibaka-powered Thunder Top Spurs in Game 4
- Big 3 Respond vs Heat; Celtics Narrow Series Deficit to 2-1
- Ibaka, Sefolosha Star in Thunder's Game 3 Win Over Spurs
- Wade Carries Heat Past Celtics in OT; Miami Nets 2-0 Series Lead
- Hornets Win Top Lottery Pick in Upcoming NBA Draft
- Spurs Hold Off Thunder for Commanding 2-0 series Lead
- Tim Duncan Declares: 'I'm a Spur for life'
- LeBron, Wade Lead Heat to Game 1 Win Over Celtics
- Ginobili, Reserves Key Spurs Game 1 Win Over Thunder
- Spoelstra Fined 25K For Criticizing Refs in Pacers Series
- Rajon Rondo Leads Celtics to Game 7 Win
- Guarded Optimism: Knicks Expect Jeremy Lin to Stay
Copyright © 2012 AHN. All rights reserved