Coach Olsen Racela and guard Patrick Sleat are back on the Final Four stage, but this time, in a different league.
From donning Far Eastern University's green and gold, Racela and Sleat now represent the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the NCAA.
The two were part of the FEU squad that clinched a Final Four spot in UAAP Season 84, though the Tamaraws eventually fell to Ateneo de Manila University in the semifinals.
Now armed with more experience and maturity, the second-year NCAA coach and transferee guard are set on fulfilling one of the Altas’ major goals.
“We're just happy to be in the Final Four. That's our first goal. All of our short-term goals [nangyari] and then may long-term goal kami. At least 'yung isa nakuha na namin. So, on to the next goal kami: making the finals,” Racela said on Thursday after Perpetual took down Lyceum of the Philippines University in the quarterfinals.
For Racela, having Sleat in the program, along with someone like Mark Gojo Cruz, makes his job easier when they share the floor.
“Katulad ng sinabi ko kanina about Gojo, si Patrick is a two-way player also. Hindi mo na po poproblemahin ang situational substitution on defense or offense because you know that they can play on both ends. Malaking bagay si Patrick sa programa namin because kailangan ko ng tulong eh, kaya ko rin ni-recruit ‘to. And of course, moving forward sa Final Four, malaking bagay pa rin sila. I'm sure teams will key on these two players. It's up to the other players to support them,” he said.
For Sleat, being a leader this time around brings a different kind of experience, on top of returning to the semifinals in a new league and with a new team.
“Yung last Final Four namin, rookie pa ako noon. So sa tingin ko, iba ‘yung mag-Final Four ka na isa ka sa mga leader. Masarap siya sa pakiramdam, and ‘yun, ready lang kami lagi kahit sino ang makalaban and we'll prepare well,” Sleat said.
As for Racela, he is thankful to have Sleat guiding their young roster.
“It's a luxury to have another point guard on the floor aside from LA [Casinillo] and Shawn [Orgo], and that's what Patrick gives you,” Racela said.
“‘Yung kaniyang facilitating and the way he reads the floor, sinabi niya nga, last time rookie siya, ngayon experienced na siya. He sees the floor better. Malaking bagay ‘yun sa batang players here at Perpetual. Marami kaming rookies, so malaking bagay that they learn from him.”
Racela, Sleat, and the rest of the Altas will begin their semifinals campaign on Tuesday against Colegio de San Juan de Letran at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
