SHOCKING as it may seem, the Racela brothers weren't too fond of each other back when they're pitted against each other on the court.
The coaching brothers shared to Coaches Unfiltered the tension that the they got embroiled in, especially when Olsen was still playing in the PBA and Nash was already serving as an assistant coach.
"Before, we do not talk to each other before or even after games. We refrain from talking about the game," shared Olsen.
Olsen, a longtime mainstay of San Miguel, even recounted an instance when he butted heads with Nash, then serving as a deputy for Chot Reyes at Coca Cola, during a post-game dinner.
"I remember when I was still playing for San Miguel tapos si Nash was with Coke. Normally, we'll have dinner after games. Pero I think playoffs yun and nagkainitan kami during dinner. Hindi na kami nag-dinner after ng games after that," he said.
It got to a point where Nash the coach no longer offered any help to Olsen the player.
"We would always be on different teams, so competitive yan. Hindi yan tutulong sa akin kasi magkalaban nga kami," said Olsen, now the Far Eastern University head coach. "He never talked to me about helping me with my game."
It wasn't long before the brothers found themselves on the same side when Reyes was given the Beermen head coaching post in 2006, taking over for Jong Uichico. Nash was brought in as part of Reyes' staff. For the first time in the PBA, he was side-by-side with his older brother Olsen again.
"I was very fortunate that at least for a short time, I was able to coach him also when I was with San Miguel," said Nash.
That run, however, was shortlived. Reyes' SMB run only lasted for a season before Siot Tanquingcen took over.
Nash stayed on board for one more season but eventually left, ending his two-year partnership with brother Olsen.
Brief as that time was, it was a fruitful experience for the Racelas.
"When we were in the same team and he was the assistant coach of San Miguel, we worked closely together," shared Olsen. "In fact, there were times na ako yung nilalapitan niya para kausapin si coach Siot. So ganoon kami when we were with San Miguel."
Since then, the Racelas have found themselves on opposing sides. Nash was a staple of Reyes' staff in TNT and later on assumed the head coaching role from 2016 to 2018.
Olsen, meanwhile, continued to play for San Miguel until his retirement in 2011 and transitioned to an assistant coaching role before being named as the head coach of then-Petron from 2012 to 2013. He later worked as an assistant for Tim Cone at San Mig Coffee and now at Ginebra.
In games where their teams clashed, the brothers shared their ever-supportive mother Mary Rose skips watching live to avoid favoritism.
"Our mom really supports us wherever we play. Even in out-of-town games, she would watch," said Olsen. "But she made it a point that every time we would play each other, she will not watch para wala siyang kakampihan."
Lucky for the Racela clan, they can get along in the collegiate ranks as Nash serves as consultant to head coach Olsen in the Tamaraws' lair.
"Now that we’re in the same team with FEU, mas madalas na kami mag-usap about basketball lalo na nung nag-coach na ako," said Olsen.
Still, Nash couldn't wait for the next time he'll be on the other side with Olsen.
"Masaya when we coach against each other," said the new Blackwater mentor. "Kasi everytime naglalaro kami, lagi akong nakasilip doon sa kabila eh. So si coach Olsen nakikita ko rin na everytime Ginebra plays, let’s say TNT back then, ganoon kami. Silip kami ng silip sa isa't isa."
"So I’m looking forward to the time that we can coach again against each other since nandoon naman ako sa Blackwater. So most likely, it will be the same scenario."
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