STI holds Coaching clinic

Budding STI Coaches together with Phoenix Fuel Master players 

In an effort to help STI Campuses create and strengthen their Sports Programs, the STI Head Office through the Events Management Group and Education Training and Development Group spearheaded the STI Basketball Coaching Clinic last May 30, 31, and June 1, 2016. Since sports plays a vital role in having a holistic approach in Education, the 27 training participants learned the ropes in laying down the foundation of their sports program by starting with the most popular sports in the country – Basketball.

Day 1 with Coach Eric Gonzales and Coach Julio Veloso at the STI Coaching Clinic

The Training was also a venue to upgrade the Basketball knowledge of appointed basketball coaches of our STI Luzon schools who were hired either as PE Instructor, IT Instructor, Lab Facilitator, Career Adviser and other positions that are not related to what they primarily do at STI.  The three-day Training included topics on Basic Coaching, Conditioning, Skills Development and creating a day to day practice plan for one season.  To give the trainees ample knowledge in Coaching, STI ESG got Globalport Assistant Coach Eric Gonzales to start off the training.  Coach Eric brings with him a wealth of coaching knowledge as an assistant Coach in the PBA, a Champion Coach in the PBA Developmental league and an assistant Coach of the recently crowned UAAP Season 78 Champion FEU Tamaraws. Touching on the topic of Strength and Conditioning was former Coca-Cola Tigers strength and conditioning Coach Julio Veloso. His topic dwelled on how the coaches can maximize the strength of their players and most importantly give them conditioning drills to make them ready for battle and avoid injuries.

Day 2 with my buddies Olsen Racela and Richie Ticzon

The second day focused on skills development and preparing a practice plan. Coach Eric Gonzales gave a detailed description on how he runs practices and demonstrated it on the court. After that, he also demonstrated basic defensive formations to give the trainees enough knowledge on the defensive formations needed for their games. Helping out Coach Eric were the STI College Ortigas – Cainta basketball players who also learned a thing or two on the various defensive drills ran by Coach Eric. In the afternoon two former PBA standouts conducted Offensive skills drills. Mr. Velvet Touch Richie Ticzon who is now an Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters in the PBA Developmental League taught the STI College Ortigas-Cainta dribblers the basics in shooting the ball which was his specialty when he was playing. At the same time, he drew some drills that eventually came out as an offensive play. Two time PBA Mythical 5 selectee and National Team lead point guard Olsen Racela also dropped to teach some offensive sets. Before the drills, Racela talked to the coaches and players and gave an inspirational story which was about his story and life in basketball which was brought about by discipline and hard work. At the same time he shared that one of the most important things that a coach should have should be patience. After that Racela proceeded by demonstrating different kinds of ball screen offensive patterns that the trainees can use for their offensive patters.

Coach Eric sharing his thoughts on coaching

If the first two days were mostly theories and teachings, the third day saw the trainees visit two different practice sessions of two basketball teams to see how to execute properly what they have learned. First stop was the practice of the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters practice – the recently crowned PBA Developmental League champions.  Coach Eric ran the dribble drive offense to perfection and then showed how to run the correct man-zone defense. All that were discussed the past two days were witnessed by the trainees in this practice session. In the afternoon, it was the practice of PBA Team Global Port Batang Pier that the trainees witnessed.  Since it’s a month and a half from the PBA opening the players led by top pick of the 2014 PBA rookie draft Stanley Pringle and the rest of the Global port team did some conditioning and shooting drills. 

Coach Richie sharing shooting techniques

The three day training covered almost all the basic ingredients in creating a sports program particularly in creating a basketball team from a neophyte squad to a powerhouse team. Also, the simulations that the Coaches saw in the two practices they attended definitely helped them visualize what is needed to mount a winning team. As the training ended, all trainees were all excited to get back to their respective schools and start their programs and hopefully we will see results in the coming months.

Helping out the Coaches were the STI College Ortigas-Cainta basketball team

The Big Ols..Olsen Racela..from cager to coach!

A photo video made by Olsen's wife

Melissa ..a fitting tribute to the birthday boy

When a coach was up on in the air for the 16 and under Philippine National team, it all went down to a multi-titled High School coach and a PBA retiree. Eventually, 18 year PBA Veteran and long time San Miguel Beer guard Olsen Racela got the nod to coach the National Team. There were lots of questions, ifs and buts and controversies as to wether Olsen was the right choice considering he never had any prime time coaching experience and that the FIBA 16 under is too big a stage to experiment. While others doubted, a lot believed that Rah Rah Racela would use his never say die attitude on the court to teach teeners do the same for the flag. Funny thing though, Olsen will always be remembered as the San Miguel Beer Playmaker but going back only did I remember that Olsen was also a part of numerous National Teams. I remember him representing the country inthe 17 and under tournament in Qatar with Jun Limpot and John Edel Cardel. I remember Olsen’s remarks then that the Qatar team was definitely over 17 years old, they cannot be that strong at that time. In 1989 he was the lead guard of the 19 and under team that played here in Manila. He teamed up with Ateneo batchmate Danny Francisco, the Aerial Voyager Vergel Meneses, Limpot, Cardel and their team ended up third. The second to the last time the country finished with a medal.

Coach Olsen giving instructions

Olsen worked his way to the top in the PBA as he started out as back up point guard and eventually became a mythical five selectee in the 2000 and 2001 seasons. His solid defense and superb quarterbacking earned him a spot in the 1998 Philippine Centennial Team that won the Jones Cup and eventually placed third in the 1998 Asian games. He would return in 2002 to be the lead point guard in the Busan Asian Games and were two free throws away from Philippine Basketball imortality when the Filipinos lost to eventual champion Korea in the semi-finals. In his stellar career as a player he has had the privilege to play and earn much of his coaching reins under Chot Reyes, Ato Badolato, Joe Lipa, Ato Badolato, Jong Uichico and one of the geniuses of the international game, Ron Jacobs. I remember him breaking down how Jacobs prepares his teams and how he would motivate them during games. He would compare Tim Cone and Ron Jacobs on what both master tacticians were good at and how they would react in international compeititons. It was only now that I remember the wealth of knowledge and experience that Olsen had in running a team.

This year’s 16 and under team has no Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng or any marquee name that any team can boast that can get the job done, but one thing is for sure the team will go down fighting. Looking at the six wins the team had, they had different topscorers and contributors and they gave the opposition 40 minutes of hell. Unfortunately, the loss to korea took out the luster on the boys and eventually lost to Japan to settle for fourth place. Not bad for a team that is low in ceiling but high on the heart category which is the trademark of Philippine teams, playing with heart. Now that the 16 and under tournament is over, I hope that Coach Olsen can get more support from the country’s brightest stars to play better in the 18 and under tournament. Coach Olsen, the country is proud your success, on to the 18 and under tournament.

One of the players that is out to make a name

Jay Alejandro of Malayan High School

Olsen turns 40

Olsen about to blow the candle

Flashback first year high school, we were around 45 in the class with twenty new students and nine of them coming from the tulong dunong scholarship program. My class of 1-H was a collection of virtual unknowns and a group of newbies trying to belong. There was a big rumble in the school at one time with three fraternities fighting it over and the venue was our classroom since no one really cared if there was a fight since no one was courageous enough to tell the upperclassmen not to use our classroom as fight venue. Little did everyone know that it was the class of Rodericko Racela who is more known for his unique nickname Olsen. This was 27 years ago.

Good friend Freddie Abuda

Olsen came from Lourdes QC and the other basketball star from that school Hector Fernandez was also our classmate. We all tried out for the PAYA Aspirants basketball team as freshmen with Hector making the grade while i was cut on the last day while Olsen was booted right away - shades of Michael Jordan right. There is one thing that defined Olsen then which has been his ticket until now and that is his being hardworking. After being snubbed that semester Olsen worked hard on his game, his defense and his playmaking skills, the next year he got accepted.

Aga, Olsen and Ricky Davao look-alike wannabe

Our class would have inter-barkada basketball competitions and the team of Olsen prevailed over the high scoring team of another UAAP juniors player Michael "Mori" Morales. Eventually they would team up to win the 1986 UAAP Juniors title with Coach Chot Reyes steering the Blue Eaglets to a 14 -0 sweep. In that team Olsen was the third point guard called as he would wait for his turn to spell either third year guard Billy del Rosario and co Senior guard Alfie Manlulo who later on went to play for the UP Fighting Maroons. Olsen didn't mind but when he got the chance to play he would use those minutes to shine.

4E boys with Melissa and Melanie

After High School, Olsen tried out for the Blue Eagles but then didn't get the nod of Coach Cris Calilan back then. Coach Cris was waiting for a recruit to join the Blue and White but that recruit decided to try his luck to the hottest team in the UAAP then, the UP Maroons. There was an opening for the back up point guard position and as luck has it Olsen was called back to try out once again and this time he got the slot. Olsen would go on to play for five years for the Blue Eagles, in those years he also played in the PBL for various teams like Crispa and A & W. He also served the country in the 17 and under and 19 and under National Teams. When he applied for the PBA Draft Olsen was taken by Purefoods as the 12th pick in the second round in 1993. The person who first discovered him gave him another chance to shine as Coach Chot Reyes called him to back up veteran Frankie Lim for Purefoods. In 1997 Coach Ron Jacobs got Olsen to play for the San Miguel Beermen and it was the defining moment of his career for until now he has defined the role of the point guard in the PBA.

Olsen's lovely wife Melissa

Who would have known that a scrappy reed thin freshman struggling to belong in the Ateneo would become one of the most respected PBA players. The 1987 Ateneo Blue Eagles was one of the more star studded teams in recent years with Jun Reyes, Jay Gayoso, Alex Araneta, Eric Reyes, Nonoy Chuatico making it to the PBA. Danny Francisco, Jet Nieto, Mel Basa and Joseph Canlas would have been shoo-ins for the PBA have they opted to continue playing. Olsen was the youngest player in that team and eventually became the best PBA player that the Ateneo has ever produced. Here is one story that shows that hardwork , discipline and determination is the best recipe for success. Happy 40th Birthday Olsen and Congratulations and we your 4E 1987 classmates are all proud of what you have accomplished.

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