Bleachers' Brew #246 Thanks, Olsen!

This appears in the Monday February 7, 2011 edition of the Business Mirror.

Thanks, Olsen.

by rick olivares

I had mixed emotions with regards to this PBA Philippine Cup series. I have been rooting for San Miguel Beer for quite some time now. That was because I was and will always will be an Olsen Racela fan. No offense, Coach Chot Reyes. I like Talk 'N Text  too but I'm sure you understand. 

As good a player Jay Washington and Alex Cabagnot both are, I thought that San Miguel got back into the series because of Olsen's leadership.

But the Tropang Texters --- well, you have to hand it to Coach Chot -- they were prepared to play the next 96 minutes (Game 5 and Game 6 combined barring any overtime).

I also saw Olsen's last game in an Ateneo Blue Eagle uniform. I am never going to forget that. It was at the Loyola Center (Blue Eagle Gym to Gen X and the iPod Generation). How many people were watching that game? Fifty? Sixty? Ateneo was up against mighty Adamson University with its fearsome troika of Kenneth Duremdes, Edward Joseph Fiehl, and Marlou Aquino. During the round robin, Olsen was mad dunking that ball. He never did that before. I would know. I saw all of Ateneo’s games. Richie Ticzon was there as was current Blue Eagle assistant coach Gabby Severino. That was one heck of a game. Richie fired a bunch of treys. Then Gabby laid the ball in front of EJ then stared him down as if to say, "Ano height mo?"

But Adamson was plenty tough. Marlou slammed the rock home with a couple of guys on him for an emphatic and-one while Kenneth was simply unstoppable. Ye good old Blue and White lost by 16. With about two minutes left, then Blue Eagles head coach Chot Reyes pulled out Olsen so the crowd could give him an ovation. He received high fives from his teammates and he waved to the faithful at Loyola. The Falcons applauded as well while we – the few, the brave, and the die-hards -- yelled our hearts out. Oh, yes we did. Win or lose, I am sure you appreciate that.

Ironically, 20 years later, both Reyes and Racela were on the court in one last series for the PBA Season 36 Philippine Cup albeit this time, they were on opposite sides. Talk 'N Text really wanted the game bad. Right from the get-go they took it to SMB. The Beermen took a brief lead in the third quarter but the Texters seized it right back. And Jay Washington, the Best Player of the Conference, who at the beginning of the series said that he had a lot left for his old team, ran out of steam despite scoring 29 points and pulling down 18 boards. It was a great effort but not enough. I thought that when Olsen re-entered the fray that this was it. That comeback that would be talked about for years. Only TNT never allowed SMB to get their bearings.

Congratulations to TNT. What subplots! Ryan Reyes buried his brother who passed away after a tragic car accident then came back in time to bury SMB with heads up play. Larry Fonacier won back-to-back titles (he was with Alaska for last year's Fiesta Conference championship and with Talk ‘N Text for this one). I'd like to deviate by saying that I love Larry's evolution as a hoopster and as talented as he is, I chatted with Charlie Dy who said that TNT has their good luck charm in the way Chris Bolado was. Like Chris, the former National University Bulldog, Larry has won with every club he's been with be it with Red Bull, Alaska, and now Talk 'N Text. Manny Pangilinan repeated his personal three-peat as Ateneo, San Beda, and Talk 'N Text all won titles in one year (that also happened in 2008) while Chot Reyes won his sixth PBA championship.

Olsen, on the other hand, fell short in his 20th title series. Not the way anyone would want to go out but how many get to play for a title series one last time? TNT spitfire Jimmy Alapag made sure to give him sincerest appreciation of San Miguel’s captain right after the final buzzer sounded. And furthermore, his #17 will never be worn again by any Beerman. How many have the honor of having their jersey number retired? 

I remember when he was a part of SMB's renaissance. The Grand Slam core was scattered to the four winds. All of a sudden, they had the "no name" players. How can you not love those SMB teams of Freddie Abuda, Mike Mustre, Nelson Asaytono, Matt Makalintal, Art dela Cruz, and Olsen. Then there were the Dannys. Eventually the titles came with Olsen at the helm. Pure hustle, baby. Hustle.

I remember watching the 2000 NU Rock Awards and when Rivermaya took the stage, frontman Rico Blanco wore Racela’s 1987 jersey from Ateneo’s UAAP title-winning team (the two were a batch a part in school and were teammates in the Intramurals Athletic Council). Outside the basketball cognoscenti, who knew him? Quite a few fans wondered about the name that was stenciled on the back. I figure they all know him by now.

When they were printing replica SMB jerseys years ago, Accel only had two Beermen -- Danny Ildefonso (a good friend at that) and Danny Seigle. I would always ask why was there no Olsen Racela jersey. The sales people would shrug not knowing what to say. I wanted to have one made except I am obsessive compulsive about owning original versions.

Then right before the start of the championship series, Olsen gave me a red SMB jersey with his name on the back. Giddy fan. Lucky dude. Yet I'll say it is one of the best gifts I've ever received. 

You may have not won a title in your last conference in the PBA, Olsen, but you'll always be a winner and one of the best. Thanks and One Big Fight.

And the team captain receives the runner-up trophy from Commish Chito Salud.