“I’m more motivated now to get the championship because this will be my last conference.”
18 seasons of playing in the PBA and Olsen Racela is ready to end his storied career with a happily ever after.
In his 20th finals appearance, his San Miguel Beer team is four wins away from his 10th title in
the PBA, eighth with San Miguel.
“For sure I’m done”, Racela replied when asked if there was any chance of him extending his
playing career. “I’m thinking more long term. SMC talked to me already and I’ll be an
assistant coach and that’s more long term.” He added that the sport has been so good to him and his family and he wants to give back.
His dream was to be able to play till his 40, and with that achieved, he’s ready to take on other
challenges off the court. “I’m grateful that they gave in to my request. I’m ready to end my
playing career.”
San Miguel Beer is down 0-2 in its ongoing Philippine Cup best-of-7 Finals against Talk 'N Text.
The Beermen have yet to win a best-of-7 series when down 0-2 but Racela is one to know anything can happen in the PBA simply because the ball is always round.
“There’s always a first time for everything. Even this late in my career. Everything is
possible,” said Racela, who was just recently named head coach of the country’s 16-and-under
national team.
More than the players’ personal reasons and motivations to fight for the All Filipino crown,
Racela also knows that his teammates are 100% behind him, to help him support his goal of ending his career with a championship!
“When we first gathered for our first practice during training camp, I already told them that
this will be my last conference and I want to win a championship in my last conference and if they could all help me for that. That set the tone for the campaign this conference.”
Paul Artadi tweeted that this is for “Kap Olsen”.
Win or lose, Racela’s finals will be special.
“Because it’s against Talk ‘N Text, it’s special because I’ll be playing against my
brother and share the special moment with him even if we’re on opposing sides. It will also be
great because (TNT) coach Chot Reyes was my first coach in my very first organized team in Ateneo High School.”
Racela’s career is completing its full circle. Victory is but 4 wins away!
Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, PBA
