Win or lose, Spoelstra to return

It’s confirmed. Whatever happens in the NBA Finals, Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra will return to the Philippines. This was the statement made by NBA Asia senior marketing manager Carlo Singson in an interview with The STAR.

“Win or lose, coach Spoelstra is coming back to Manila,” said Singson, a Filipino who has been working with the NBA’s Hong Kong office for more than a decade. “He will be arriving late July or early August.”

Spoelstra will be coaching in his first NBA Finals since taking over as head tactician of the Heat in April of 2008, after Heat president Pat Riley stepped down. The Heat had previously won the championship over the Dallas Mavericks in 2006, with a starting unit that featured Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade, but floundered the next seasons.

The Fil-American Spoelstra first visited the Philippines in an official capacity two years ago as part of an outreach program by the US State Department. He returned in 2010 to coach in the NBA Fit program promoting the importance of education and health to thousands of deprived youth, as well as do media interviews. Spoelstra will be leading the NBA Fit program once again. He has been with the Heat for 16 seasons.

“He (Spoelstra) loves coming back here, reconnecting with his relatives and giving back to the basketball community,” adds Singson.

“We’re all happy to see a Filipino doing well in the NBA, as a coach. The growth of the game in the Philippines will be exponential when a Filipino someday plays in the NBA. We hope that through our marketing partnerships, our television and digital platform, and our developmental and fan events, we are laying the groundwork for this to happen. With regards to a Filipino making it to the NBA as a player, it is no longer a question of “if” but “when”.”

In his rookie year, Spoelstra set a franchise record for the biggest turnaround, going from 15 wins the previous year to a 43-win record and a postseason appearance. It was only the second time in NBA history that a team had gone from winning 15 games or less one year and making the playoffs the next. The first team to do it was the 1968-69 edition of the San Diego Rockets. The change also beat the previous record of a 20-game turnaround set by a rookie head coach, set by Ed Badger of the Chicago Bulls in the 1976-77 season. Last season, the team improved further to 47 wins before making the trades that brought in LeBron James and Chris Bosh and form their version of a “Big Three” with Wade. After an up and down start, the Heat picked up steam, and eliminated the Bulls in the Eastern Finals earlier this week to set up the rematch with Dallas.

Spoelstra has always been a teacher at heart, and has been very active in various programs of the NBA and the Heat in teaching fundamentals to young players. Even in his three seasons as the Heat’s summer league coach and as a scout, his attention to detail has been impressive. Prior to this season, he has led Miami to its two lowest records for turnovers. In his first return to the country in 2009, people knew of him, but he wasn’t a massive crowd draw. Last season, with the announcement of James’ transfer to Miami, Spoelstra’s popularity doubled, according to the NBA. With the Heat going all the way to the Finals, Spoelstra’s reception when he returns will be tremendous.

“The NBA continues to hold more and more events in the Philippines, from development events like Jr. NBA, fan events like NBA Madness, competitive events, and health and fitness events like NBA Fit,” Singson explains. “More and more people continue to participate in these events every year. This shows the hunger for more NBA activity in the Philippines.”

And the NBA would only be more than happy to oblige.

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Legit Status will be representing the Philippines in the 2011 World Hip Hop Dance Championship at the Red Rock Resort and Casino in Las Vegas in July. In the last two years, the group has competed against dance teams from over 30 countries in the Varsity Division for dancers 18 years old and below, following in the footsteps of two-time Adult Division world champion Philippine All-Stars and other Filipino dance champions like the Jabbawockeez and Poreotics.

The team has been improving over the last two years, and is hoping to make the big leap and bag top prizes this year. In 2009, they placed seventh out of 41 teams. Last year, they placed sixth out of 42 competitors.

Legit Status will be holding a fund-raising concert on June 25 at the Market! Market! Activity Center to cover their airfare and expenses while in Las Vegas. Other successful dance crews from high school and college competitions such as the Skechers Streetdance Battle champions UP Street, the Company of Ateneo Dancers, La Salle Greenhills’ Air Force, the AC Dance Troupe and CSA Dance Troupe, and even professional groups will be participating.

For ticket or sponsorship inquiries, e-mail [email protected] or contact team representative Gabby Dario through 0917-5709190.