Obama calls, congratulates Fil-Am coach Spoelstra

No less than US President Barack Obama has called Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra, to congratulate him for piloting the Miami Heat to its second straight National Basketball Association title.

The White House issued a statement saying Obama called Spoelstra Friday afternoon (Saturday, PHL time) to congratulate the Heat on their second straight title.

"On the call, the President noted the Heat’s relentless determination in what was an historic season for the team and their MVP, LeBron James," the White House said.

It added Obama told Spoelstra "that he looks forward to congratulating the team once again at the White House."

The Heat captured its second straight title last Thursday (Friday, PHL time) with a 95-88 game seven victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Obama is a fan of the Chicago Bulls, which won over the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, but fell to the Heat in the semifinals in five games.

Spoelstra is the son of Dutch-Irish-American Jon Spoelstra, a former NBA executive for the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Buffalo Braves and New Jersey Nets, and Elisa Celino, a native of San Pablo City in Laguna.

He has traveled to the Philippines several times, most recently under the NBA's FIT program.

Spoelstra succeeded Heat president Pat Riley as head coach of the Heat in 2008. -  ELR/AMD, GMA News