Racela remains upbeat despite TNT’s first loss

Nash Racela. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO — Nash Racela admits that TNT is still in the process of feeling each other out.

That’s why despite the 100-110 defeat to Alaska on Sunday, the soft-spoken mentor is hardly concerned with how his wards are faring so far this 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“I think at this point, we should be happy that with the way that we’re playing, we still got three wins out of the four,” he said.

Infusing new guys in his roster bannered by new acquisitions Terrence Romeo, Jericho Cruz, and Don Trollano, on top of import Jeremy Tyler, Racela expects that there will certainly be more or less an adjustment period that the KaTropa needs to undergo.

But that isn’t just limited to TNT, as almost all the teams this second conference are still looking to get into their groove.

“I think you look at all the teams, all the teams are still learning to play with each other. I think it’s the same case with us,” he said. “Of course having practically a new team, we’re still in the process of learning each other, so it’s nice that we’re able to still get three out of four despite doing that.”

The KaTropa have had a relatively shaky performance this conference, pulling off close shaves against GlobalPort, Phoenix, and Ginebra before suffering a tough defeat to the Aces.

Racela praised how coach Alex Compton was able to stable the ship for Alaska so far, and for him, it should be the benchmark for TNT in terms of playing consistently.

“That’s something that we are trying to learn and in a way, be at the level of Alaska in terms of consistency when we play. Obviously we’re not yet there, but it’s still a long conference,” he said.

Racela, however, expects the KaTropa to perform better in the coming games, beginning on Friday against Blackwater.

“Moving forward, hopefully we get better as we go along. Again, you get three wins in four, where are we? Did you expect us to win all our games? So we should be happy,” he said.