During his playing days, Olsen Racela was known for making big shots and for his equally-high intensity celebrations. This led to one of the coolest monikers in Philippines basketball – Rara-Racela.
But since retiring in 2011, the nine-time PBA champion turned head coach has mellowed down, especially in the UAAP. With the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, he has built a personality as a stern disciplinarian.
That all stopped when the UE Red Warriors handed his team an embarrassing 25-point loss last September 30.
“Nag-start yun nung UE game, after the game na ‘di niyo lang nakita,” said one of the best point guard in Philippine basketball.
The Tamaraws easily bounced back with a win over the NU Bulldogs four days later. Then came a tough stretch, as the battle-tested Tamaraws took on top two teams Adamson Soaring Falcons and Ateneo Blue Eagles in a span of just four days.
What came next was a magical run.
After nipping the Soaring Falcons with an 88-85 win last Sunday, the Tamaraws stormed back from a slow start to stun the defending champions to close out their first round campaign with a 63-60.
And after both of those games, Racela let out a primal scream. The classic Rara-celebration was back.
“We need that for the players, to motivate the players. Ganoon naman ako eh. Even as a player, ganoon na ako,” he said, as he has seemingly become more comfortable with the Tamaraws.
“What you see now is my personality.”
Racela is hoping that this rubs off on his players, as he has shown them his true self.
“Sana, but iba-ibang personality yan eh. That’s my personality,” he expressed.
“I hope na ganoon din sila, mahawa sila pero may kanya-kanyang personality ang mga players. Sana ma-motivate na lang sila”
