ABU DHABI: Erik Spoelstra, the assistant head coach of the men’s USA Basketball national team, has expressed his excitement about the USA Basketball Showcase, part of International Basketball Week and tipping off on Thursday at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena.
But there is more reason for his excitement than just the historic event itself.
Spoelstra, whose mother was born in the Philippines, is looking forward to witnessing the passionate Filipino basketball fans he has heard so much about, both in Abu Dhabi and at the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup.
As well as USAB playing in the Gulf for the first time, the World Cup will be held in three countries for the first time: Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines.
While embracing his American identity Spoelstra maintains a strong connection to his Filipino heritage and the next few weeks, he said, would allow him to harmoniously blend both aspects.
“We’re just really excited to be able to come together and hopefully do something special together, but I personally am really excited.” According to recent population statistics, the UAE is home to more than 700,000 Filipinos.
“I’m proud to be American, and I’m also very proud of my Filipino heritage,” Spoelstra added.
His mom, Elisa Celino, was born in San Pablo, Laguna, and her son, who is also coach of Miami Heat, is looking forward to returning to her homeland.
He said: “It’s exciting. We’re all going to be in the same place, so I get to see some family and I’m genuinely excited that our players and staff will be able to see how passionate the fan base is in the Philippines.
“It’s going to be awesome. I’m going to try catch a game if I can; Tim Cone (coach of the Filipino national team) and I have already been communicating, so we’ll see.”
On his favorite Philippine dish, two-time NBA Championship-winning coach Spoelstra recalled his uncle’s lumpia, a traditional Filipino spring roll.
“Uncle Tony makes great lumpia, and while I was growing up, he used to send it in the mail. He would make lumpia and send it frozen, so we’d get it about once a month. My mom used to make it too, and I used to just munch on that all the time,” he added.
International Basketball Week tips off on Thursday evening with Lebanon versus Egypt. Team USA will begin their showcase tomorrow against Greece, who have been drawn in the same group at the FIBA World Cup, which starts on Aug. 25.
