Pinoy fans proud of Heat's Coach 'Spo'
Fil-Am coach wins second title
He came, he saw, he conquered—for the second time.
Filipino-American Erik Spoelstra, the first Asian-American head coach to win an NBA championship, has once again won the NBA crown. Last year, he steered the Miami Heat to a 4-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, giving LeBron James his first championship ring.
For a man who was first hired as the Heat's video coordinator, Coach Spo, as he is fondly called, has come a long way.
It is this pride that Filipinos carried when they took to Twitter to express their joy over the victory of Miami Heat over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The local sports personalities led the pack.
The Philippines cheered for u, Coach Spo. Congrats! How bout coming home to cheer for Gilas Pilipinas this August? #LABANPILIPINAS !
— Chot Reyes (@coachot) June 21, 2013
Congratulations to the @MiamiHEAT for winning back to back NBA Championships! To kababayan @CoachSpo, congrats at mabuhay!
— TJ Manotoc (@tjmanotoc) June 21, 2013
My crystal ball retiring for moment with big crack-picked Spurs vs Heat in Finals before season but chose Spurs to win, happy for coach Spo
— Quinito Henson (@TheDeanQuinito) June 21, 2013
Erik Spoelstra is now a back-to-back NBA Champion. THAT is Pinoy Pride.
— Tony Atayde (@TonyAtayde) June 21, 2013
The Heat win was even sweeter because the whole of San Pablo City was behind our kababayan Eric Spoelstra who coached brilliantly.Congrats!
— Ronnie Nathanielsz (@ronnathanielsz) June 21, 2013
Even showbiz personalities joined in the congratulatory mood.
Though im for the spurs, Congrats to coach spo! Of the heat! You make Filipinos proud !
— Christian Bautista (@xtianbautista) June 21, 2013
Miami Heat, back-to-back NBA Champions 👍 LeBron James, back to back MVP ❤ Congratulations! #CoachSpo #PinoyPride #NBAFinals2013 #HeatNation
— Valerie Concepcion (@v_concepcion) June 21, 2013
#coachspo we also claim your win! http://t.co/Ur44HSHayB
— Cecilia Orena-Drilon (@cesdrilon) June 21, 2013
Coach Spo, 2 NBA championships and you've only just begun. You gave Filipinos more reasons to love basketball, if that's even possible.
— Cesca Litton (@CheckLit) June 21, 2013
Back when Coach Spo guested on UKG after Miami lost to Dallas in the 2011 Finals. Now, he has won… http://t.co/OvLoaU7FcQ
— Andrei Felix (@Andrei_Felix) June 21, 2013
Philippine organizations also did not hesitate to share their pleasure over the win of the Filipino-American's team.
Congratulations, Coach Spo & Miami! From your #SmartInfinity Family! http://t.co/q9sqW9gYZE
— Smart Communications (@SMARTCares) June 21, 2013
You're the man Coach Spo! Another #PinoyPride moment for every kabarkada. Let's all congratulate him and the... http://t.co/TSzwX5trJC
— greenwich pizza (@greenwichpizza) June 21, 2013
Congratulations Coach Erik Spoelstra and Miami Heat! #50beautifulyears #binibinigold http://t.co/0aGim1disv
— Bb. Pilipinas (@RealBbPilipinas) June 21, 2013
Congratulations Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra!This photo was taken during the inauguration of the Smart... http://t.co/zApxSVEfPy
— Araneta Center (@AranetaCenter) June 21, 2013
Relatives of Coach Spo were seen watching Game 7 intently.
'Heat' is rising for Uncle Tony & Aunt Minda Celino as they fervently cheer for nephew Coach Spo in the 4th! pic.twitter.com/I2vRQpqXhv
— Ginger Conejero (@gingerconejero) June 21, 2013
The game that had the whole world glued to the TV set was indeed a game that showcased Pinoy pride.
