By MARK REY MONTEJO

Former Philippine national team member Chip Engelland returned to the country on Tuesday, Aug. 22, as part of Team USA and under the care of NBA champion coach Steve Kerr for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Back in Manila to help the Americans reclaim the World Cup title, Engelland will be on the sidelines along with Fil-Am coach Erik Spoelstra and a slew of a young and energetic core made up of NBA stars.

As a naturalized player, Engelland's career spanned for nine years here and under the banner of the Northern Cement Corporation (NCC) which tapped him in 1984.

The 62-year-old coach had a colorful stint with the NCC, winning the 1984 Asian Basketball Club Championship in Malaysia and was the scoring champion in the 1985 PBA Reinforced Conference.

Engelland also donned the tricolors in the William Jones Cup, highlighted by his 43-point performance in the finals as the Philippine team beat USA in overtime, 108-100.

In the late 90s, Engelland started his coaching career as he founded “Chip Shots” which focused on youth’s shooting development. 

He then joined as a shooting consultant for Detroit Pistons (1999-2000), players’ development director with Denver Nuggets (2003-05), long-time assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs (2005-22). He is presently working as an assistant at the Oklahoma City Thunders.