When Nash Racela was offered the position to be the head coach of Adamson University after he was let go by Blackwater, one of the first people he consulted was his brother Olsen.
After all, Olsen was the head coach of Far Eastern University and that he was still an active consultant to the school.
Admittedly, Nash, who was offered the De La Salle University job back in 2019, was hesitant.
“I really felt we weren’t ready as brothers to compete against each other back then, and I really felt that he probably needed my help, being a consultant or assistant in FEU,” Nash told Adamson University’s official website.
But Nash immediately got the blessing of Olsen.
“The good thing about this year is that when I mentioned to Olsen that Adamson is interested in me, hindi ko naramdaman na parang nag-hold back siya,” continued Nash.
“Sabi niya, ‘Okay, that’s good!’ Kumbaga, it’s a signal that he was ready for us, in a way, to part ways.”
When Olsen was named head coach back in 2016, he wanted Nash to still remain on board with the team despite his younger brother also coaching TNT in the PBA.
Five years later, Olsen said that he is ready to let go and face his brother.
“Nung nasa FEU ako, na-excite ako because it’s my chance to work with him. Now, I’m settled with my position,” Olsen told Tiebreaker Times.
“Yung transition ko from PBA to UAAP was easier because of Nash.”
For Olsen, he is just glad that Nash is back to where he truly belongs — the collegiate game.
“Of course, I’m happy for him. I think he is better suited for college than the pros because of how he develops college players.”
Come March 5, the two brothers will once again be on the sidelines together. But it will be on different ends.
It won’t be the first time the two square off as head coaches as back in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup, they faced off when Nash took over for Norman Black for a while in Talk N Text while Olsen was still head coach of Petron.
Photo from Coach Ryan Betia/Blackwater
“It’s exciting, I guess, to see a Racela vs Racela in the UAAP,” said Nash, who also brought Ryan Betia and Gilbert Lao from FEU to Adamson.
“Ever since, we give our one-hundred-percent every time we play each other. That’s how you make each other better,” added Olsen, who will still have Eric Gonzales, Johnny Abarrientos, Denok Miranda, Mark Isip, Vic Pablo, Bert Flores, and Allan Albano in his staff.
But who will their mom Mary Rose cheer for?
“I’m happy for our mom also,” expressed Olsen.
“Tinatanong na nga kung sino chee-cheer niya e!”
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