ADAMSON University coach Nash Racela did not get the fitting birthday present he wanted last Wednesday.
Perhaps, he is yearning for a belated gift.
“Ang focus lang naman is really to just control things that we can control. That has been the message ever since. Two weeks ago or a week and a half ago, ang sabi ko sa kanila before we practiced, I want to still play in December. I still want to coach in December. I want you guys playing in December,” Racela said. “We’ll play this Sunday, Dec. 4. That’s what we wanted. Maganda sana kung Final Four na iyon but hindi.
“Isipin mo natulungan ka na ni UE, gusto mo pa tulungan ka pa ni UST, sayang kanina,” he added.
Racela spoke after the Soaring Falcons absorbed a sorry 61-67 loss to Ateneo, and aided by La Salle’s 77-72 win over University of Santo Tomas, was relegated to a knockout duel against the Green Archers.
The Falcons and Green Archers, who both ended the eliminations with 7-7 marks, square off in a deciding playoff game this Sunday, Dec. 4, in the 85th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 6 p.m., with the winner getting the No. 4 slot and will battle the top seed and twice-to-beat Blue Eagles in the Final Four.
Defending champion University of the Philippines, also armed with a win-once incentive, will collide with third-ranked National University.
Racela said his troops are raring to get another shot at Ateneo.
“Importante lang is we gave ourselves a chance in the end. A team like Ateneo, we are aware, is a team that’s hard to beat but they’re beatable,” he said. “We just hope we get another chance in a couple of days.”
The San Marcelino-based crew will pin its hopes on Jerom Lastimosa, Lenda Douanga, Didat Hanapi, Cedrick Manzano, and Joem Sabandal.
Kevin Quiambao, Penny Estacio, Evan Nelle, Michael Phillips, and Mark Nonoy will carry the fight for La Salle.
