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    In 'home World Cup,' Erik Spoelstra's coaching dream finally comes true

    World Cup stint a 'dream come true' for Fil-Am coach
    Aug 23, 2023
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    Erik Spoelstra gets to live his dream of joining Team USA's coaching staff in the Philippines.
    PHOTO: Patrick Romero

    FROM realizing a coaching dream to reconnecting with his Filipino roots, USA assistant coach Erik Spolestra is keen to begin an extraordinary 'home World Cup' on both personal and professional levels.

    READ: Vacation over for Team USA. It'll be time to lock in on winning a World Cup

    Coach Spo took time off from his Team USA duties to lead an elite basketball camp for young Filipino high school and college cagers at the Kerry Sports Arena in Taguig on Wednesday, just one day since arriving in Manila for the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup.

    The two-time NBA champion mentor shared how special it was for him to join the American coaching staff just as the global showpiece heads over to his mother Elisa's homeland.

    “It was a ‘pinch myself’ moment to be asked to be part of USA Basketball’s program. It’s something that I dreamt about for a long time. You just never really think that you’re actually going to be a part of it so it’s a dream come true," Spoelstra said.

    "And once we found out (the World Cup) was going to Manila, I couldn’t believe it. I knew it was going to be somewhere in Asia but for it to be here, it’s like ‘Wow, this is gonna be really cool to be able to reconnect with family,'" he added.

    Erik Spoelstra

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    Exciting times for Gilas, 'friend' Tim Cone

    Upon arriving to Manila on Tuesday with Team USA, Spoelstra revealed that he has already reached out to a fellow coaching great and his good friend — Gilas assistant coach Tim Cone.

    He also underscored the 'exciting' prospect of a home World Cup for Gilas on top of having NBA ace Jordan Clarkson onboard.

    "It’s going to be exciting. I’m going to try and catch a (Gilas) game. Coach Tim (Cone) and I have connected and I hope to meet up with Coach Chot (Reyes) as well. I haven’t seen a whole lot of (Gilas) but I’m looking forward to watch them play and compete," Spoelstra revealed.

    "(Jordan Clarkson) is definitely a big addition for sure, without a doubt. Him fitting in to what they’ve already done, that’s the most important thing. He’s a proven guy and that definitely helps," he added.

    Team USA 'ready' for battle

    As a 'relatively young' USA side eyes redemption from its worst-ever World Cup finish in 2019 (7th place), Coach Spo is a firm believer of the squad's raw talent and explosiveness even with only a month's worth of preparations.

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    “We feel like we’re ready but we understand how challenging it is. These are the best countries in the world and (basketball’s) truly become a global game, that’s the beautiful thing about it," Spoelstra said.

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      "But it’s a big challenge (because) we’re up against countries that have been together for years. We tried to put together a relatively young team, which is what’s exciting about this group, in just six weeks while the others have been playing each other for many years," he added.

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      Team USA's World Cup revenge tour begins in Group C against New Zealand (Aug. 26), Greece (Aug. 28), and Jordan (Aug. 30) at the Mall of Asia Arena.

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      Erik Spoelstra gets to live his dream of joining Team USA's coaching staff in the Philippines.
      PHOTO: Patrick Romero
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