IN time, Olsen Racela hopes to accomplish what his first cousin Yuri Escueta achieved at San Beda.
“Defending champion sila. Meron sila na wala kami,” he said of what is lacking so far with the University of Perpetual Help team that he’s been handling for the first time this Season 100 of the NCAA.
“And that’s our motivation.”
But for now, Escueta owns the bragging rights and a 1-0 record in their head-to-head coaching duel in the league after the reigning champions pulled off a 63-62 escape act against the Altas, Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
READ: San Beda survives Perpetual's late charge for back-to-back wins
It was the first official game played between the two former players who both suited up for Ateneo during their college years.
Racela, set to turn 54 next month, has nothing but praise for the program established by his cousin at San Beda.
“Maganda yung programa niya. I’m also learning from him. He’s doing very well there,” said the Barangay Ginebra deputy coach.
While this marked their first ever official game coaching against each other in the NCAA, Racela and Escueta had battled each other on the sidelines several times in the past, initially during his time with Far Eastern University, and later with Perpetual Help.
“Nung nasa FEU pa ako last year San Beda na siya. So madalas kaming mag tune up game kasi madaling i-coordinate,” he said.
Racela also said he and Escueta also play tune-up games with Adamson, whose coach Nash Racela is the brother of Olsen.
While they get to coach against each other, Racela said he never had any chance to work together with Escueta in handling a team.
“Bata pa yan si Yuri. Nung nag-coach ako ng (Philippine ) Youth team, naglalaro pa yata si Yuri nun e. Kaya kami nila coach Nash yung magkakasama,” recalled Olsen.
“So we never got the chance to work together.”
Mary Rose Racela, the 79-year-old Racela matriarch, was at the venue to watch the cousins pit each other on the sidelines.
“Kaya nanood si Mama ngayon. Gusto niyang panoorin yung pamangkin niya more than ako yata,” said Olsen with a smile.
The cousins left the venue together along with the rest of the family for a late lunch at a nearby mall.
“I’m looking forward to more battles against him (Yuri) and San Beda,” was Olsen’s wish before leaving the arena.
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