MANILA, Philippines – When the American players arrive in Manila, they will be one of the biggest attractions of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
In the words of U.S. assistant coach Erik Spoelstra, “They’ll be like rock stars there.”
Perhaps Spoelstra should prepare for the same wave of interest to hit him as well.
That’s because no one on Team USA has a stronger connection to the Filipino people than Spoelstra, a Filipino-American. Although he was born and raised in the United States, his mother, Elisa Celino, is from San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines.
“It’s been a dream of mine to be a part of the USA Basketball program for so many years and then have the World Cup take place in Manila,” he said. “I’m very proud to be American and I’m very proud of my heritage, also being Filipino.
“I’m really excited for the entire program to see the enthusiasm, spirit and fan base for the game in Manila.”
“I HAVE GREAT PRIDE IN BEING AMERICAN AND I HAVE GREAT PRIDE IN MY HERITAGE, ALSO BEING FILIPINO”
After Gregg Popovich, San Antonio’s coach since 1996, Spoelstra is the second longest-tenured coach in the NBA among the league’s current coaches.
After taking over the Heat in April 2008, his teams have consistently been among the best in the Eastern Conference. In 2012 and 2013, Spoelstra’s Heat won NBA titles. Spoelstra will therefore arrive in the Philippines with a pedigree. He is one of the best in the business and will be celebrated by fans across the country as one of their own.
“It’s a very surreal experience,” he said.
“I think it will be really cool for everyone to see how passionate the fans are about basketball in general. I think our group is going to be treated very well.
“Of course, I have family there. I’ll try to get some of the band members and the players to try Filipino food. My Uncle Tony makes great Lumpia, so maybe I’ll ask the guys to try that.”
For context, Lumpia are different types of spring rolls, consisting of a thin skin of paper-like or crepe-like dough called a “lumpia wrapper” encasing savory or sweet fillings. They can be served as an aperitif or snack, and are fried or fresh.
Coach Spoelstra will also give back to his mother’s country. USA Basketball will host an elite basketball clinic bringing together 40 high school and middle school boys and girls from Metro Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, August 23. Erik Spoelstra will lead the course. Participants will take part in a series of skills development training and life skills and leadership development programs.
While fans of Gilas Pilipinas, as the Philippine national team is called, will be rooting for their team in Group A against Italy, Angola and the Dominican Republic, they will be equally excited for the The American team which participates in Group C. against Greece, New Zealand and Jordan.
Americans have won the World Cup five times, most recently in 2010 and 2014. The only other country to have won it five times is the former Yugoslavia.
With the success that the United States has seen over the years and the many stars that always show up for the country, fans are guaranteed great American basketball. This American unit looks eerily similar to that of 2010, when a completely new American team showed up at the World Cup in Turkey and marched to the title.
Kevin Durant was the tournament MVP and players like Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love were his American teammates. None of the players on this year’s U.S. team were on the Olympic team that won gold in Tokyo a few years ago. Expectations will nevertheless be very high for the American team.
“The crowds are going to be buzzing,” Spoelstra said. “They were waiting for this opportunity for all the teams to be there and show their enthusiasm for the game, this great game that we have the chance to participate in. But it’s going to be crazy. I can’t wait for our team to see it.
The interest in the sport in the Philippines is once again a testament to the popularity of the sport around the world. Many countries outside of America have players in the NBA. Foreign players are some of the brightest stars in the NBA.
“This has been happening for 30 years,” Spoelstra said. “It’s truly a global game now. The world has caught up and that’s what makes the game more competitive than it’s ever been. It’s a great thing that the game has expanded to all regions of the planet.
“But we still believe the game belongs to the Americans. But we have to prove it. The task ahead of us is difficult, we know that, but we look forward to the challenge.”
Spoelstra still pinches himself knowing that this opportunity to be with the United States is real.
“It’s an absolute blessing,” he said. “First of all, it’s been an absolute honor for all of us to be a part of the USA Basketball program. It’s been a dream for many of us. And the coaching staff, especially with Steve, Ty and Mark Few, it’s an incredible experience.
“I have deep respect for each of them. I am very grateful that Steve gave us the opportunity to be a part of the program and take on this global challenge to bring home gold.”
And at the end of the day, no team has as much pressure to win the Naismith Trophy as the United States.
It was a tough pill to swallow four years ago in China when France beat the United States in the quarterfinals.
“Obviously we would like to come out of this with a gold medal,” he said. “But these are lasting memories. It’s a big commitment for all of us, the players, the staff, everyone involved in USA Basketball behind the scenes.
“It’s a six-week commitment but in reality it’s longer than that, all the previous preparation time, but what you’re really doing is creating shared memories that will hopefully last the entire a life. It’s something unique and different from the NBA game that we are so used to.
“But it’s been a dream for a lot of us for a long time to be a part of this and to be able to compete at the highest level on the world stage.”
FIBA