MANILA, Philippines – It’s no secret that San Antonio Spurs are shooting the lights out in the NBA Finals. But not too many know that one of the reasons why the Spurs are red-hot against the Miami Heat is because of their shooting coach, who once played for the Philippine national team.

Spurs assistant coach Chip Engelland is considered to be the best shooting coach in the league right now according to former Phoenix Suns coach and now Memphis Grizzlies head coach prospect Alvin Gentry as quoted by the Los Angeles Times last week.  

Arthur "Chip” Engelland was one of the Philippines’ three naturalized imports – the two other being Jeff Moore and Dennis Still – back in 80’s under the banner of Northern Consolidated, which was bankrolled by San Miguel Corporation top honcho and known sports patron Danding Cojuangco.

Chip Engelland (seated second from left) with the whole Northern Consolidated team that includes Allan Caidic (standing third from right). Photo courtesy of forums.interbasket.net

Engelland, who was known to Filipino fans as the "Machine Gun” for his shooting prowess, helped the country win the ABC club championship and Jones Cup in 1985, and in the process took a young Allan Caidic under his wings.