Pacman, NBA coach Spoelstra to conduct cage clinic in Bukidnon

A self-confessed Boston Celtics fan, Manny Pacquiao may have to content himself working hand-in-hand with Miami Heat's head coach in the Philippines by summer of next year. Erik Spoelstra revealed plans that are being finalized to conduct a series of basketball clinics in the Philippines by 2011, pending the formal agreement he will have with the group of the world’s top pound-for-pound king. The project aims to promote sports and a healthy lifestyle among the Filipino youth, especially in Pacquiao’s hometown of Kibawa, Bukidnon, where he traces his roots. ESPN.com first reported the news on the possible collaboration between Pacquiao and Spoelstra, the first Fil-American head coach in the NBA or of any North American professional sports team, for that matter. “Manny’s people actually got back to us the other day and said he was really interested in getting together to do something like this," said Spoelstra, whose mother, Elisa Celino, hails from San Pablo, Laguna. “It’s for a good cause, and we're really excited about the chance to do it." Doing basketball clinics in the Philippines is nothing new to Spoelstra, whose popular Miami Heat starring the triumvirate of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and two-time MVP Lebron James is among the teams favored to win this year’s NBA championship. The past two years, Spoelstra had travelled to Manila together with members of the Miami Heat coaching staff to conduct various basketball programs. The report of a possible team-up between Spoelstra, who first joined the team in 1995 as a video team coordinator, and Pacquiao came just as the seven-time world champion is gearing up for his fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito for the World Boxing Council (WBC) junior middleweight championship. And Spoelstra vows to catch the 12-round fight no matter how busy he will be, with the Heat taking on the Toronto Raptors also on Saturday. “After our game, I'm sure I'll find some way to watch it," said Spoelstra, who actually met Pacquiao during his recent visit in the Philippines last May. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV