Spoelstra ‘honored’ by Congress tribute

Expect cold weather, Cojuangco warns Pinoy Olympians

The weather, as usual, might play a factor when 11 Filipino athletes in eight sports disciplines see action in the London Olympics slated July 27 to Aug. 12.

Based on the monthly weather forecast for the month of July, it will be quite cold in London, with a low of 13 and a high of 23 degrees Celcius.

The forecast should give the Filipino bets in athletics, archery, boxing, BMX, judo, shooting, swimming and weightlifting an idea of what’s in store for them.

July is supposed to be summer time in London, and yet Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco isn’t relying on the forecast.

“Don’t read those weather predictions,” said Cojuangco, adding that he used to visit the United Kingdom once a year.

“Don’t rely on it. The weather in London is unpredictable. I used to go there in December and it was so cold. So, I was told to visit in July,” he said.

To his surprise, when he visited in July, Cojuangco found the weather even colder than that in December.

Cojuangco said this is the reason why they want the Filipino bets to be in London way ahead of the opening ceremony, way ahead of schedule.

In fact, shooter Brian Rosario and swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna left for London the other night to join a pre-Olympics training camp.

Rosario should know because in a recent test tournament in London he said he did not perform well because he was bothered by the very cold weather.

They left with swimming coach Carlos Brosas, shooting mentor Josefina Mauricio-Corral and administrative officer Arsenic Lacson.

Cojuangco said if possible, the others should follow suit, and the sooner it is, the better.

“It will be a plus if they get there ahead of the others,” said Manny Lopez, chef-de-mission of the Filipino contingent to the London Summer Games.

“It will give them enough time to acclimatize and familiarize themselves with the place, with the food, the weather and the people around you,” said Lopez.

“Aside from the weather is the fact that the Olympics event is euphoric and ecstatic. An athlete can easily be overwhelmed seeing the superstar athletes. It’s good to get there early,” he added.

CHICAGO – Fil-Am Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said he was honored by the citation given by the Philippine Congress after becoming the first Asian American coach to win the NBA championship recently.

In an email, Tim Donovan, vice president for sports media of Miami Heat, quoted Spoelstra as saying: “I’ve truly had fulfilling trips the last three years working with Filipino families and youth during my off-season visits to the Philippines. It is so rewarding to be able to give back through the game of basketball that has given so much to me.”

Three days after the Heat beat the Oklahoma Thunder for the NBA crown and Spoelstra’s first championship, the Philippine House of Representatives cited Spoelstra as the “first coach with a Filipino lineage to win an NBA championship.”

Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. filed House Resolution 2515 for recognizing Spoelstra’s roots from the Philippines. Spoelstra’s mother, Elisa Celino, hails from San Pablo City.

“The House of Representatives has traditionally paid tribute to outstanding Filipino achievers who have showcased their knowledge and talent in the international stage. Coach Erik Spoelstra’s pride with his Filipino heritage is evident with his visits in the Philippines and his statements in the public,” said Golez.

“Spoelstra is one proud Filipino; you can see this with his actions and statements. He has visited the Philippines several times and even proudly proclaims his admiration with fellow Filipino achiever, Rep. Manny Pacquiao. The entire country should be thankful and honored with his achievements,” he added.

Even after being informed of reports that Pacquiao could be rooting for Heat’s rival’s Boston Celtics, Spoelstra still kept the faith and didn’t mince words when he told Miami Heat fans after winnng the NBA title that he was drawing “lots of analogies” from boxing when he said: “Everybody knows I am a big Manny Pacquiao fan. There are quite a lot of comparisons that our guys can relate.”

Spoelstra has always counted Filipinos among the legions of his fans.