From their high school days to their college years, and all the way to the pro ranks, Johnny Abarrientos and Olsen Racela have always been pitted against each other.
In their collegiate days, match-ups between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the FEU Tamaraws were a must-watch, as the two floor generals always stole the show.
Their heads-up bouts even reached the pros, since the San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Milkmen always figured in playoff matches.
It has been years since the two great point guards last fought each other on the hardwood. But on Sunday, in the Return of the Rivals, they met once more.
Abarrientos suited up for Alaska, a team he helped steer to the 1996 Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Racela played for San Miguel Beer, where he won nine championships with from 1993 to 2009.
Racela and SMB won this time, 96-83. But that didn’t stop the two from remembering their rivalry.
“High school palang, rivals na kami.
“High school, college, PBA –same draft, same year kami nag-retire – it’s a rivalry eh,” recalled the 48-year-old Racela, who was the 12th overall pick in the 1993 draft.
“Yung rivalry namin ni Olsen, even nung high school time pa,” added the 12-time PBA champion Abarrientos, the third overall pick in the same draft.
“Yun yung na-miss ko.”
Of course, their rivalry is no longer as intense, and they are both past their primes. These days, Racela and Abarrientos work hand-in-hand in the FEU Tamaraws’ men’s basketball program.
And for Racela, what they did this Sunday is just for fun, but more importantly for a good cause, as the proceeds of this event will go to the PBA Legends Foundation.
“It’s a fun competition for everyone.”
