By REYNALD MAGALLON
Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra is back in town along with the members of the USA national basketball team which arrived in Manila on Tuesday, Aug. 22 for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Team USA, one of the heavy favorites to rule the global showpiece, received a warm Filipino welcome upon their arrival from tune-up matches in Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates before the contingent immediately boarded the buses which will bring them to their hotel.
The Americans, drawn with Jordan, Greece and New Zealand in Group C of the tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena, are one of the most anticipated teams especially by the avid Filipino basketball fans.
Bannered by young NBA talents led by Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Lakers’ Austin Reeves, Team USA players are expected to get rock star treatment from the fans – something that Spoelstra can attest.
In fact, the Miami Heat coach, now an assistant to USA head coach Steve Kerr, is excited for the players to experience Filipinos’ trademark hospitality and basketball enthusiasm.
“This has been a dream of mine to be a part of the USA Basketball program for so many years and then for the World Cup to be in Manila,” said Spoelstra in an article at the FIBA website
“I have great pride in being an American, and I have great pride in my heritage, being Filipino as well. I’m just really excited that the entire program will be able to see the enthusiasm, the spirit and fan base for the game in Manila,” he added.
It is a homecoming of sorts for Spoelstra who, aside from the World Cup, will also have other endeavors in the country including basketball clinics to young Filipino players.
Come Aug. 25, though, the formal start of competition, it will be all business for Spoelstra and the rest of the crew as they try to erase the bitter memories of its seventh place finish in the 2019 edition in China.
