TALK ‘N Text deputy mentor Nash Racela neither confirmed nor denied a reported plan to move him to Meralco in a swap with Jong Uichico in a mini-rigodon of coaches for the two ballclubs under the Manny V. Pangilinan group.
Racela, currently the head coach of Far Eastern University and an assistant of Chot Reyes at Gilas Pilipinas, said nothing is final at the moment when sought for comment by Spin.ph.
“As of now, wala pang final. Di ko alam, pero parang si Olsen (Racela, his brother at San Mig lang naman,” Racela said, obviously referring to the case of brother Olsen who was transferred from Petron to San Mig.
“Kung kailangan at kung saan makakatulong, siyempre, I’m just being a good soldier,” Racela added.
Spin.ph also tried to get the side of Uichico. But the eight-time champion coach only gave a curt response, saying: “Not that I know of, but you just go and talk to (Meralco coach) Ryan (Gregorio) about that. He should know if there are any changes.”
Uichico has been with Meralco since the early part of January 2012 after he parted ways with Barangay Ginebra, ending a long partnership with San Miguel Corp. that lasted for about three decades.
According to sources within the team, Gregorio will be staying on at Meralco but will now part with Uichico who is set to be reunited with Talk 'N Text coach Norman Black.
Uichico was one of Black's assistants during their stay at San Miguel Beer.
The youthful-looking Racela, who has been with Talk `N Text for quite some time now dating back to the time of former coach Chot Reyes, said he’s ready for any eventuality.
“You’ll never know kung saan ako mailalagay, basta open lang ako,” Nash said.
Racela served as head coach of the defunct Fruitas franchise in the PBA D-League. The team placed seventh in the 2012 Aspirants Cup before improving to fourth in the 2013 Foundation Cup.
The Bolts have yet to resume practice since the team was knocked out by the Alaska Aces in the playoff for the remaining quarterfinal berth of the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup.