^

Sports

Spoelstra pushes Eala to pursue aspiration

John Bryan Ulanday - The Philippine Star
Spoelstra pushes Eala to pursue aspiration
Alex Eala with Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, left, and coach Erik Spoelstra.
Photo from Miami Heat twitter account

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis and basketball stars shared a rare, beautiful moment together as teen sensation Alex Eala met coach Erik Spoelstra in the backstage of the Heat’s NBA game against the New York Knicks yesterday at the Miami-Dade Arena in Florida.

The 17-year-old Eala received a warm welcome from Spoelstra, the seasoned Filipino-American NBA mentor, as she dropped by to see the Heat play in the aftermath of her early exit in the prestigious Miami Open the other day.

Spoelstra encouraged Eala, accompanied by her father Mike, to never give up on her tennis aspirations with hopes of seeing her again in the Miami Open next year.

“Come through again in the Miami Open next year and hit us up next,” beamed Spoelstra on her compatriot who’s making waves and bringing honor and glory to the Philippines.

Eala’s pep talk with Spoelstra, together with Heat star center Bam Adebayo proved as a lucky charm with Miami beating New York, 127-120, to climb to 40-34 at No. 7 in the Eastern Conference.

Spoelstra, who won two NBA championships and has been recently named in the NBA’s 15 Greatest Coaches, also promised to go see and support Eala in her next Miami tourney.

BASKETBALL

NBA

Philstar
  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
priority latest
Array
(
)
latest
Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [ArticleID] => 2271256
            [Title] => Legend in his own time
            [Summary] => The greatest Filipino basketball player ever will be enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame during rites in Manila on Aug. 23, two days before the opening of the World Cup. Carlos Loyzaga, who died in 2016 at 85, will be honored with 11 others, including Chinese star Yao Ming.
            [DatePublished] => 2023-06-04 00:00:00
            [isSticky] => 0
            [Focus] => 1
            [PostType] => Standard
            [ColumnID] => 135698
            [Alias] => 
            [AuthorID] => 1804869
            [AuthorName] => Joaquin M. Henson
            [SectionName] => Sports
            [SectionUrl] => sports
            [URL] => 
        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [ArticleID] => 2271247
            [Title] => Philippines shines with silver in Para 3x3
            [Summary] => The Philippines claimed its first medal following a silver by the men’s 3x3 basketball team even as its fantastic chessers struck hard in the rapid event of the 12th Asean Para Games that was officially ushered in with a grand opening ceremony last night at the Morodok Techo National Park here.
            [DatePublished] => 2023-06-04 00:00:00
            [isSticky] => 0
            [Focus] => 1
            [PostType] => Standard
            [ColumnID] => 0
            [Alias] => 
            [AuthorID] => 1806959
            [AuthorName] => Joey Villar
            [SectionName] => Sports
            [SectionUrl] => sports
            [URL] => https://media.philstar.com/photos/2023/06/03/1_2023-06-03_20-21-41240_thumbnail.jpg
        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [ArticleID] => 2271246
            [Title] => Labadan stumbles, lands in 8th place 
            [Summary] => Breanna Labadan capped her campaign yesterday by winding up eighth and last in the ball event finals with a score of 28.75 points at the close of the 14th Senior Rhythmic Gymnastics Asian Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 
            [DatePublished] => 2023-06-04 00:00:00
            [isSticky] => 0
            [Focus] => 1
            [PostType] => Standard
            [ColumnID] => 0
            [Alias] => 
            [AuthorID] => 
            [AuthorName] => 
            [SectionName] => Sports
            [SectionUrl] => sports
            [URL] => 
        )

    [3] => Array
        (
            [ArticleID] => 2271245
            [Title] => California Academy rules inaugural GVIL
            [Summary] => California Academy warded off Naga College Foundation, 25-18, 18-25, 25-14, 25-19, and reigned supreme in the inaugural Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League yesterday at the San Andres Gym in Malate Manila.
            [DatePublished] => 2023-06-04 00:00:00
            [isSticky] => 0
            [Focus] => 1
            [PostType] => Standard
            [ColumnID] => 0
            [Alias] => 
            [AuthorID] => 1806312
            [AuthorName] => John Bryan Ulanday
            [SectionName] => Sports
            [SectionUrl] => sports
            [URL] => https://media.philstar.com/photos/2023/06/03/3_2023-06-03_20-11-05999_thumbnail.jpg
        )

    [4] => Array
        (
            [ArticleID] => 2271244
            [Title] => D2 Super Cup off the wraps
            [Summary] => Home team Tiaong Meaksyon introduced itself with a bang against Gumaca Kuyas, 70-58, in the inaugural D2 Super Cup Invitational Quezon Province held in partnership with the Pilipinas Super League last Friday at the Tiaong Convention Center here.
            [DatePublished] => 2023-06-04 00:00:00
            [isSticky] => 0
            [Focus] => 1
            [PostType] => Standard
            [ColumnID] => 0
            [Alias] => 
            [AuthorID] => 1806312
            [AuthorName] => John Bryan Ulanday
            [SectionName] => Sports
            [SectionUrl] => sports
            [URL] => https://media.philstar.com/photos/2023/06/03/4_2023-06-03_20-06-57364_thumbnail.jpg
        )

)
abtest
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with