FEU head coach Nash Racela. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Whatever happens in the next several days or even weeks, Nash Racela will finish his coaching duties with Far Eastern University this season.
FEU athletic director Mark Molina assured the Tamaraws that Racela, who is reportedly on his way to becoming head coach of TNT in the PBA, will stay at the team’s helm through the end of UAAP Season 79.
“Our only concern with FEU is to make sure that Nash will finish the season with FEU. There is no doubt we know that Nash will not leave the team in the middle of the season,” Molina told reporters after FEU’s comeback win over University of the Philippines on Saturday.
“That’s our concern and it was never in doubt if Nash would finish the season with FEU. That’s our only concern right now.”
READ: Nash Racela takes over TNT coaching chores, replaces Uichico
TNT has yet to make an announcement confirming the appointment of Racela, but Molina stressed FEU won’t stand in the way of the champion coach.
“Whatever happens with coach Nash and his career afterwards, to me is a blessing if it’s confirmed soon,” Molina said. “Coach Nash and I are high school teammates so it was always clear that when Nash joined FEU and if an opportunity like this comes up, we will gladly accept his decision and support him 100 percent.”
“We will support him all the way. But our focus right now is to finish the season all the way.”
READ: FEU overcomes 20-point deficit, downs UP for 7th straight win
Molina also said Racela, who is in his fourth season with the Tamaraws, will still play a role with the team “in whatever capacity.”
“If Nash gets the TNT position we will do everything in our power to still keep Nash Racela in the FEU organization in whatever capacity he can help us. That’s for sure.”
Racela, who steered the Tamaraws to their first UAAP championship in 10 years last season, kept his lips sealed and let Molina do the talking, but he couldn’t resist thinking about what could be his biggest break yet.
“A lot of people would say it’s a coach’s dream to lead a PBA team but I came to a point na if it comes, it comes,” Racela said. “If not, I’m satisfied where I am because I think part of that realization is God is really faithful na kahit na yung gusto ko na maging head coach hinid niya binibigay pero all those years hindi ako nababakante.”
As far as Racela’s potential replacement is concerned, Molina said it’s a topic FEU would rather not tackle with the Tamaraws focused on winning a second straight title.
“We have several members of our coaching staff that are, to me, very ready and qualified to be head coach in the UAAP. So I don’t want to start any conversation right now. We will do it after the season.”