NASH Racela couldn’t be any more thankful to assistant coach Gilbert Lao for mapping out the game-winning alley-oop play which saw Adamson edge National University, 60-58, on Wednesday.
“That’s the responsibility of coach Gilbert. When we were actually playing defense, we were hoping that if they ever make a basket, we'll still have time,” he said, deflecting credit to his deputy for their third win in five outings this UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
READ: Adamson hero Yerro on game-winner: 'Tiwala lang, papasok 'to'
The Soaring Falcons did have time to operate – 0.3 seconds, to be exact – as Jhon Calisay made a perfectly-placed inbound pass to Joshua Yerro at the buzzer for the win.
“Nakakailan na siya,” Racela quipped, with this being the third time that Lao drew up a game-winner for Adamson.
Vince Magbuhos was the first last season.
With the game tied at 71 with 3.3 seconds left, Ateneo had its eyes on Mathew Montebon. Didat Hanapi then inbounded the ball to Magbuhos, who was keeping himself available at the top of the arc with only Jason Credo to beat, and shot the go-ahead three which bounced around the rim before going in.
Montebon eventually had his moment later in the year.
And it came when Adamson’s season was hanging by a thread as University of the East held a close 61-60 lead with 6.5 seconds on the clock. Yerro passed the ball to Montebon who crossed over Abdul Sawat before jacking up the left corner three for the victory with 2.7 ticks to spare.
“Last year namin sinimulan yung ganyang set-up,” said Racela of Lao, who is assigned to the team’s defense and situational out-of-bounds plays.
“Nakita ko, mahilig si coach Gilbert magsulat sa whiteboard eh. So sinubukan namin sa mga preseason, and lahat naman ng mga assistant, nakasubok. Pero siya talaga yung nag-enjoy mag-set ng plays.”
Together forever and never to part
It’s all a testament to the trust that Racela has on his coaching staff, including Lao who has been with him since 2013 when they were still in Talk ‘N Text under Norman Black.
When Racela was named as the new Far Eastern University shot-caller that year, he brought along Lao, who was transitioning from being a PBA player to a coach, together with Ryan Betia and Jonathan de Guzman to serve as his assistants.
From the UAAP triumph with the Tamaraws in 2015, the hard times in Blackwater, and eventually in San Marcelino with the Soaring Falcons, that partnership has endured.
That’s why Racela will never bat an eyelash in giving Lao rave reviews, even if it means other teams would possibly inquire for the latter’s services.
“Sa amin naman, collective effort yan lahat ng coaching staff. Pero for the other teams, if you need a playmaker, coach Gilbert is available,” he said.
To be clear, it's not like Lao is looking for a new job. From where he sits with the Soaring Falcons, he seems like he’s perfectly fine where he is right now.
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