Erik Spoelstra
MANILA, Philippines—A Malacañang Palace aide on Saturday congratulated the Miami Heat’s Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra after his team won the NBA championship over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Congratulations to Coach Erik Spoelstra. We do not want to take sides but special mention and very big congratulations to Coach Erik Spoelstra,” said Abigail Valte, a spokesperson for President Benigno Aquino, over state-run radio dzRB.
“That would be good,” Valte said when told of Spoelstra’s reported promise to bring the Heat’s championship trophy to the Philippines for a visit. “Coach Erik Spoelstra has a lot of fans here in the Philippines. A lot of fans would be excited.”
Spoelstra’s mother, Fe Celino, is from San Pablo City, Laguna.
He met Aquino in August 2011 after his team lost in the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks.