Racela proud of his Falcons as Ced Manzano suits up despite Dad’s death

Adamson Falcons’ Cedric Manzano. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson may have failed to reach the Final Four for the second straight time, but coach Nash Racela was proud of his team, especially Cedrick Manzano, who still chose to play despite grieving the passing of his father days before their crucial match.

The Falcons dropped a lopsided loss to Ateneo in the playoff for No.4 that ended their UAAP Season 86 campaign on Wednesday.

“Very, very proud of my team, of our team. So many ups and downs, really an emotional roller coaster even to the last day. Well, the team is on an emotional low. Last time we talked about Cedric Manzano choosing to play despite his dad being in the hospital. Well, he lost his dad. That’s something that we learned yesterday,” revealed Racela after their 70-48 loss to Ateneo.

The Adamson coach thanked Manzano, who had four points and six rebounds playing through four fouls, and his family for showing their support in the Falcons’ do-or-die game.

Adamson coach Nash Racela. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“That’s why we are not really looking at the results, really how the boys played. It was really that we wanted to honor the dad of Cedric. I just hope, even if the score is not really favorable, we made his dad happy,” said Racela. “And the whole family watched the game today. So they were really one in making the decision that Cedric plays.”

The Soaring Falcons were just a win short of reaching the Final Four, finishing Season 86 with a 7-7 record sans Jerom Lastimosa due to a full ACL tear in his left knee. Joem Sabandal also missed the last three games of the elimination due to a hamstring injury.

Adamson won back-to-back do-or-die games against National University and University of the East behind Monty Montebon’s game-winning triple to force a playoff for No.4 against Ateneo.

“I always say I’m proud of my team. I’ve been consistent even at the start of the season, nobody gave us a chance. Who would have imagined that after two to three months of playing, we would be playing for a slot in the final four? As a coach, you should be happy and proud of how your players competed. So if somebody else sees it in another way, then, maybe he needs eye surgery,” Racela said.

Racela is ready to take on the challenge next season as Lastimosa, Jed Colonia, and Vince Magbuhos ended their collegiate careers.

“I’m always excited regardless of the type of talent that we have. A lot of work to be done, but again the challenge, during our huddles… The challenge really was just for the team to be better next year. How to do that, we don’t know yet,” he said.