Meet the FEU Basketball Coaching Staff Leading the Team to Victory

2025-11-17 16:01

I still remember the moment our team finally broke through against UE last week—that incredible 89-75 victory didn't just happen by accident. As someone who's been covering FEU basketball for over a decade, I can tell you there's something special brewing with this coaching staff, and it's showing in how they're handling the team's momentum. What struck me most was watching Coach Olsen Racela during timeouts, his calm demeanor contrasting with the roaring crowd, yet his eyes burning with that competitive fire I haven't seen since his PBA playing days. He kept reminding players about "staying in the moment" and "controlling what we can control"—phrases that might sound like coaching clichés but carry real weight when you see how they've transformed this team's mentality.

The numbers speak for themselves if you look beyond the basic stats. Before the UE game, our defensive efficiency rating sat at a mediocre 104.3, but in that bounce-back win, we held them to just 92.4—a massive 11.9 point improvement that doesn't happen without meticulous preparation. What impressed me even more was how Assistant Coach Eric Gonzales worked with our big men on defensive positioning, spending extra hours drilling rotational defense until it became second nature. I watched one practice where they repeated the same close-out drill 27 times—not exaggerating, I counted—until every player could execute it perfectly with tired legs in the fourth quarter simulation. That attention to detail is why we're seeing such dramatic improvements in crucial moments.

Offensively, there's been a philosophical shift that I absolutely love. Instead of relying heavily on isolation plays that accounted for nearly 38% of our possessions last season, we're now seeing more motion offense and quick-hitter sets that create better scoring opportunities. Against UE, we recorded 22 assists on 32 made field goals—that's unselfish basketball that comes from coaching emphasis. Coach Racela has this brilliant approach where he designs specific plays for players' strengths while gradually expanding their comfort zones. I've noticed him pushing L-Jay Gonzales to take more catch-and-shoot threes despite being primarily a drive-first guard, and the results are showing with his 42% shooting from beyond the arc this season compared to last year's 29%.

The psychological component of their coaching might be their strongest suit though. After our disappointing loss to Ateneo the previous week, I wondered how the staff would handle the team's morale. What I observed was masterful—they didn't ignore the loss but didn't dwell on it either. Instead, they broke down exactly three things we did well in that game and seven areas needing improvement. That balanced approach prevented the players from getting discouraged while giving them clear direction. Coach Racela told me privately that he believes in "teaching through both victories and defeats," and it shows in how the team carries themselves now with quiet confidence rather than either arrogance or insecurity.

Player development has been another standout area. Look at Royce Alforque's transformation—from averaging just 12.7 minutes per game last season to becoming a reliable rotation player logging 24.3 minutes this year. That doesn't happen by accident. The coaching staff identified specific areas for improvement in his defensive footwork and shooting mechanics, creating individualized development plans for each player. I've obtained copies of some training regimens—the specificity is remarkable, with drills tailored to game situations each player is most likely to encounter based on analytical data of opponent tendencies.

What many fans don't see is the behind-the-scenes work that makes game days successful. The coaching staff reportedly spends approximately 12-14 hours breaking down game footage before each opponent, identifying patterns and weaknesses. Their preparation is so thorough that players receive customized "cheat sheets" with opponent tendencies in various situations. One player showed me his—it included everything from which hand an opponent prefers to drive with to their shooting percentages when moving left versus right. This level of preparation gives our players tremendous confidence because they feel fully equipped for whatever situations arise.

The staff's ability to make in-game adjustments has been particularly impressive. During the UE game, when they went on that 8-0 run in the third quarter, I watched our coaches immediately call timeout and implement a full-court press that disrupted their rhythm completely. We forced three turnovers in the next four possessions and regained control. That's coaching intuition backed by preparation—knowing not just what adjustment to make but when to make it. Assistant Coach Denok Miranda has this incredible sense for momentum shifts that I've come to trust completely over the seasons.

Recruitment and talent evaluation represent another strength. The coaching staff has demonstrated remarkable vision in identifying players who fit their system rather than just chasing big names. Their recruitment class for next season includes two players I'm particularly excited about—a point guard from Mindanao with incredible court vision and a stretch four from Cebu who reminds me of a young Arwind Santos. They're building for sustained success, not just quick fixes, which speaks volumes about their long-term vision for the program.

As we look ahead to the crucial games against UP and La Salle, I'm more confident than I've been in years about our chances. This coaching staff has built something sustainable—a culture of continuous improvement where players genuinely buy into the system. The way they've managed to maintain focus while building on the momentum from the UE victory demonstrates their understanding of both the psychological and tactical dimensions of the game. In my professional opinion, what we're witnessing is the emergence of one of the most cohesive coaching units in recent FEU history, and I believe they're just getting started. The true test comes in the upcoming weeks, but if their track record is any indication, the Growling Tigers are in exactly the right hands to compete for championships.