Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Thursday said that he may not have the time to help the national team, but wants to get involved in grassroots development.

“In the future, more trips like this will happen. This will not be the last time. I want to involve myself in the grassroots,” said the 38-year-old Spoelstra who is here for a series of basketball and coaching clinics as part of the US Department of States’ Sports Envoy Program.

Much as he wanted to help, Spoelstra said his schedule with the Heat prevents him from committing his time with the national team.

Spoelstra attended the press briefing organized by the PBA and sponsored by PowerAde Sports Drink at the Kamayan Restaurant in EDSA.

Spoelstra and his group composed of Heat assistant David Fizdale and former WNBA all-star Sue Wicks met with PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios, PowerAde Team Pilipinas manager JB Baylon, RP team coach Yeng Guiao, as well as PBA mentors Tim Cone of Alaska, Leo Isaac of Barako Bull, Jong Uichico of Ginebra, and Boyet Fernandez of Sta. Lucia.

“Because of my background (as half-Filipino), I want to help out in any way that I can. One thing for sure, the NBA wants to get more involved in the Philippines. They have seen the passion now, and I think that’s great,” said Spoelstra.

The one-time University of Portland guard was impressed with the Filipinos’ passion for the sport.

“People here are passionate about it (basketball). I think the enthusiasm for the game, you can tell right away,” he said. “The coaches and players here want to learn, and that’s a good step.”

“I don’t know, maybe fire and competitiveness (of being a Filipino), and the desire to succeed. I’m very proud to be the first Filipino-American coach in any pro sports in the US,” Spoelstra said.

Spoelstra’s mother, the former Elisa Celino, hails from San Pablo Laguna, while his father Joe worked as an NBA executive for the Portland Trail Blazers, the Denver Nuggets, the Buffalo Braves and the New Jersey Nets.

From being an assistant coach to Pat Riley (now the Heat’s President and General Manager) he was elevated to head coach last season to become the youngest among the current NBA coaches at 38 years old. He also worked as director of scouting for the Heat.

In his first season with the Heat, led by an extremely gifted athlete Dwayne Wade, Spoelstra steered Miami to the Playoffs. They were eliminated in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks.

Born in Portland, Oregon, he played for Jesuit High School in 1988, and for the University of Portland, averaging 9.2 points, 4.4, assists and 2.4 rebounds per game for the Pilots. He was named the 1992 West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.