UAAP: Coach Nash Racela urges fair treatment for Adamson

ADAMSON University Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela expressed displeasure with the foul disparity in Sunday’s close encounter with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, during the second round of UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.

The Soaring Falcons’ postseason aspirations were put on hold after they were defeated 62-58 by the Blue Eagles in their recent crucial game. The team is now 5-7 and in fifth place, just one point behind their Katipunan-based rivals, who are 6-6.

Adamson head coach Nash Racela lamented that the officiating in the final quarter was a primary factor in their loss to the defending champions.

“As a coach, I should be happy with the way our players competed, but it’s not enough that you just compete,” he said during the post-game press conference on Sunday.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

“Maybe I would agree Ateneo played a ‘great fourth quarter,’ but this is something that surprised me. When we were up six points at the end of the third, we got into penalty right away with seven-and-a-half minutes, when we were up six,” he said.

“So, the story of the fourth quarter is 11 to 2 fouls. Ateneo got 15 free throws, we got nothing. That’s the sad part, they’re taking away a lot from our players,” Racela said, referring to the differential in fouls called and free throws taken by his side versus Ateneo’s trip to the line.

As much as the Adamson coach wishes to credit Ateneo for making a “great fourth quarter adjustment,” he believed the story should be different. 

“That’s your narrative every time, fourth quarter adjustment. But what’s the real story? It’s really hard to do this. Even the last attempt of Manzano when we were down one, Obasa hit him,” he added.

“Now I know how UE felt when they complained when Ateneo got thirty plus free throws against their four. But now, sa amin the timing, why fourth quarter. In three quarters, only 16. All of a sudden sa fourth you give them 15,” he narrated.

On October 11, it can be recalled that Ateneo played UE in a contentious first round matchup in UAAP Season 86. The Red Warriors fell to the Blue Eagles 76-69 after a 32-to-4 advantage in free-throw attempts.

The three referees who officiated that game were suspended for three weeks and will not be able to officiate any knockout, Final Four or finals games this season.

“It’s hard. Kawawa ang mga bata. Coaches, sanay na kami diyan. Wherever we go, these things happen,” explained Racela. “But give these kids a chance. Midterms nga this week eh. They have to go to school to take their exams, study, practice. That’s the kind of schedule that we have. At least man lang, give them a fair chance.” 

His thoughts on their Final Four chances

Before the Adamson head coach ended his contention about his team’s unfair treatment, he made bold remarks about how supporters and “maybe” even the league would want Ateneo to advance to the Final Four.

“I know they like Ateneo to make it to the Final Four. I don’t know how many percentage, malaki, majority, diba? The UAAP probably wants them, a lot of people want them to go in,” said Racela.

He said he understood how difficult it was to make the Final Four, let alone compete with Ateneo. Therefore the coach made certain that his players were up to the difficult task of securing semifinals position this season.

“Sabi ko nga sa team after the game, the sad reality is even before the start of the season, we’re already out of the Final Four. So it will take more from you guys if you want to enter,” said Racela of their prospects of making it to the Final Four.

“I like my players because they’re doing their part. It’s not perfect, but they’re fighting and they’re developing grit. Every game, they give themselves a chance. I hope the others also give them a chance because they deserve it. Nothing is given for free but if you give it to others for free, that’s not fair,” he said.

Even though this happened while they were vying for the last Final Four berth, Racela remained confident about the team’s chances of making it to the semis despite not having complete control over where they will end up after their last two games.

The former UAAP champion coach advised his players to play with confidence, claiming that overcoming this will only create a greater narrative for them and toughen them up as they pursue their basketball careers.