IT was double celebration for Barangay Ginebra assistant coach and Perpetual Help mentor Olsen Racela on Friday.
The Gin Kings won their first game in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals right on Racela's birthday when the league held a rare All Saints’ Day playdate at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Racela told SPIN.ph he can attest that Friday’s ‘Undas’ game could be the first in league history since he never played or coached a PBA match on his birthday over the course of his 18-year professional playing career, most notably with San Miguel from 1997 to 2011.
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Racela is definitely happy to win on All Saints' Day more so since it pumped life back into Barangay Ginebra’s chances at winning the PBA Governors’ Cup finals instead of being down 0-3 on his birthday.
“This is my first PBA game on my birthday," said Racela, whose full name is actually Rodericko Cesar but got the nickname ‘Olsen’ precisely because his birthday falls on All Saints' Day.
"Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, first PBA game in history ito on All Saints' Day. Siyempre. I’m very happy and of course, naka-isa kami. At least, we are back although naghahabol pa kami, 2-1. Hopefully, we get another one on Sunday.”
Racela, now 54, said he was surprised when the PBA Finals schedule was released to know that there would be a game on his birthday.
“Normally, November 1, hindi nilalaro ‘yun eh. But okay lang. Basta nasa finals kami. I’m sure a lot of teams would rather play on November 1 in the finals,” said Racela.
Racela said it was a busy birthday for him, just like in past years since he normally had practices during All Saints' Day even when he was playing. Earlier in the morning, Racela supervised practices of Perpetual Help in Las Pinas City before going to the Barangay Ginebra game at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“Ngayon pa lang (mag-celebrate ng birthday),” said Racela after the game. “Late dinner. Nag-practice pa kami kanina sa Perpetual. Normal work day.”
“Sanay na ako nagpa-practice ng All Saints Day sa birthday ko pero ‘yung game ako ang hindi sanay,” said Racela.
He, however, recalled playing a game in the United States in 1998 when the Philippine Centennial Team was in the middle of its build-up for the Asian Games.
“Second game in my basketball career sa akin. ‘Yung first game ko was with the Centennial Team. November 1. Wala namang Undas sa US eh. Nag-US Tour kami noon,” said Racela.
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