Racela Bros. & Ginebra Coaches on BC EP 6

Episode 6 was something Joe dreamed about because he wanted to pay homage to his favorite team, the Ginebra Gin Kings who were our guests. At the same time my high school classmate and his brother, Olsen and Nash, also paid us a visit to talk about their up coming plans in the PBA.

THE RACELA BROTHERS

There are actually three Racelas who played basketball with the youngest one now an accountant in the USA. Olsen and Nash carved out their respective careers in basketball with Olsen coming out as a player and Nash a Coach. Just recently they were united when Nash came over to the Magnolia Beverage Masters as one of its assistant Coaches. Olsen said that one thing nice about it is that as brothers, Nash knows how Olsen plays and can give him additional tips on how to treat opponents. Nash used to be the San Beda Coach prior to Coy Banal and he is responsible for bringing in Pong Escobal to the Red Lions.

Coach Nash has since transferred to Talk and Text as Coach Chot Reyes’ deputy. Olsen on the other hand has signed again for the Beverage Masters for another one year contract. When asked if he was being groomed to be the next Coach of the Magnolia team he just laughed and coyly said no. Olsen is already the oldest player in the PBA and will has done his job of bringing LA Tenorio up to speed as the team’s point guard. Unfortunately LA was traded for Mike Cortez which will most probably be Olsen’s padawan learner for another year. For Coach Nash and Olsen, who knows if you will work again for another team in the future.

THE GINEBRA COACHES

If you were to go back ten years ago, Allan Caidic was the best shooter in the PBA, Samboy Lim, injured and all was still showing his high flying act and still wowing PBA fans and Art dela Cruz was the best defensive forward who can guard almost anyone. The trio brought a lot of pride to the San Miguel Beermen in those years and they won lots of titles. Now they have a different role to fill, Allan Caidic besides being one of the Assistant Coaches also lectures players like PauL Artadi the finer things of shooting which worked tremendously in the finals. Art on the other hand has been lecturing Ronald Tubid a lot with regards to defense. Samboy Lim on the other hand is tht eteam Manager that sees to it that all is in place with what the Gin kings need. The three former beermen have transferred all their knowledge to the Ginebra Gin Kings who was ably lead by many time San Miguel Champion Coach Jong Uichico.

The four guests said were one in saying that when the import they wanted came along, it was the start of the turnaround of the Ginebra Gin Kings from a 0-5 start to Fiesta Cup Champions. Coach JOng has been into a lot of finals and he was very human to admit that they were nervous and that they are very lucky that they bucked the odds of having most of their players injured but still won. He said that since he is a product of Coach Ron Jacobs, his style is influenced by one of the best foreign Coaches to lead a team of Filipinos in international events