FEU head coach Olsen Racela. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ron Dennison and Jojo Trinidad bid goodbye to Far Eastern University, and if there’s one person who is saddened to see the two leave is head coach Olsen Racela.
Racela and the Tamaraws failed to enter the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball Finals after losing to Ateneo, 88-84, in their rubber match and this will forever be in the former PBA star’s mind as he regrets not seeing his seniors play for a title.
“I would like to apologize to these two because I couldn’t bring them to the Finals in their last year,” said Racela in Filipino Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena. “These two are very good players, not just good players, but very good people.”
FEU, which finished fourth in Season 80 after a 7-7 record in the elimination round, was able to force Ateneo, the top-seeded team with a 13-1 slate, to use its twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals with an 80-67 beating in the first game.
Ateneo, though, battled back in the second game to secure a win in overtime and set up a Finals date with defending champion De La Salle.
Racela, who just finished his first head coaching year at FEU, said Dennison was the reflection of the Tamaraws’ growth.
Healso apologized to Trinidad, who began the tournament as a starter but fell out of the rotation through the course of the season.
“Ron’s growth is actually a reflection of the team’s growth, wherever Ron went the team went with him,” said Racela. “There’s a bright future for him, he’s a good role player and many will be interested in him.”
“I also apologized to Jojo for what he went through this season. He started for us, fell from the rotation, and started for us again but you didn’t hear anything from him. It’s all team for him and I appreciate it.”