The first meeting between brothers Olsen and Nash Racela in UAAP Season 84 wasn’t just a family affair for both coaches. A highly intense matchup was also seen from both Far Eastern University and Adamson University as neither team was willing to give an inch to their opponents.
However, it was Olsen Racela’s squad that ultimately came out on top with a narrow 66-65 victory, thanks to a clutch shot by RJ Abarrientos.
Despite getting the win, the former PBA great admitted that it was tough seeing his brother absorb a tough loss on the opposite bench. After falling short against the Tamaraws, the Falcons have now lost four straight games heading to the tail-end of the first round.
“First of all, mixed emotions for me,” expressed Olsen. “I’m happy with the win but when the final buzzer sounded and we were up — nanalo na kami — walking to the other side of the court, nakita ko ‘yung kapatid ko so medyo mixed emotions eh.
“But one team has to win and one team had to lose pero ganun talaga eh.”
Both brothers go way back as they’ve spent several seasons together on the FEU side in the UAAP. They’ve also had numerous battles in the pros as Olsen is currently serving as an assistant coach for Ginebra while Nash previously mentored both TNT and Blackwater.
Now facing off in the collegiate ranks, the Racela brothers made sure that their first meeting against each other would be one to remember.
After the game, Olsen lauded the determination shown by his wards after gutting out a hard-fought victory on Thursday night.
“I just want to commend the players and the whole team for not giving up. We could’ve given up easily eh di ba? Down by eight with two minutes,” the Tamaraws head coach stressed.
“Doon sa pinagdaanan namin the past games madali lang mag-give up pero they showed the ‘Be Brave’ spirit na hinahanap natin from these FEU players kaya nakalusot din kami.”
Nash, on the other hand, admitted that he is not all too familiar with the coaching style of his older brother. However, he knew that their matchup would push both of them to perform at their best on the sidelines.
“To be honest, hindi namin alam masyado yung isa’t isa in terms of coaching. We have a little bit of an idea of what each other would do. But today, we were surprised by how the other coached,” said the UAAP Season 78 champion coach.
“In the beginning, I’ve said that this game would bring the best out of us, and today, it did that.”
And in a few weeks’ time, the two will slug it out again.
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