WHILE there are big cage programs boosted by deep-pocket individuals or companies in the UAAP, like reigning champion La Salle (Enrique Razon, Raffy Villavicencio, and Mans Carpio), Ateneo (Manny V. Pangilinan), University of the Philippines (Robina Gokongwei-Pe), and University of Santo Tomas (San Miguel Corp.), NCAA teams are not to be left behind.
Perpetual Help last week officially tapped former Ginebra and Far Eastern University coach and current Kings assistant tactician Olsen Racela as the Altas’ new strategist.
Racela took over at the helm of the Las Piñas-based cagers from Myk Saguiguit who remained as a deputy.
“It’s official, there’s a new head (coach) in town–welcome coach Olsen Racela to Perpetual,” the team announced on its social media account last week. “We are psyched to see you on the hard court.”
Kings star and former Altas standout Scottie Thompson had a big hand in Racela’s move to Perpetual but the two denied SMC will also support the Altas.
Thompson’s role as Altas’ team manager, however, is seen as a big boost due to his connection with SMC sports director and Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua.
For a long time, it was only defending champion San Beda University which had a benefactor in Pangilinan. For a while, San Sebastian College enjoyed the support of Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda. Now, other squads have also bolstered their programs.
Before SMC transferred its backing to UST, it was behind the three-peat run of Letran under coach Bonnie Tan in 2019 and 2022 (twice).
Strong Group’s Frank Lao backstops College of St. Benilde, while Palayan City, Nueva Ecija businessman-sportsman Bong Cuevas supports Emilio Aguinaldo College.
The country’s oldest collegiate league is not devoid of competitive and generous people who will provide their teams with the much-needed shot in the arm in their bids.
