ADAMSON University tapped Raoul Cesar “Nash” Racela as its men’s basketball head coach in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
Gilbert Cruz, a member of the school’s board of trustees, told BusinessMirror of Racela’s hiring on Monday. He will handle the school’s basketball operations and programs for five years.
“I really like the guy. He is really a nice guy. We played golf at Orchard the other day,” Cruz said. “I recommended a five-year contract, but there are options that I can get as a consultant.”
Racela took over from Franz Pumaren.
Cruz said that long-time Adamson Baby Falcons Coach Mike Fermin would stay as one of Racela’s deputies.
Racela steered Far Eastern University to the UAAP crown in 2015. He also coached TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association from 2016 to 2018 and Blackwater in 2019.
Racela deferred commenting on his hiring but said the school would make an official announcement soon.
Former PBA best import Sean Chambers was Cruz’s first choice. He offered the job to the former PBA Best Import but his hiring didn’t materialize because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Racela has a 48-29 win-loss record in his collegiate coaching career that included a brief stint at San Beda (2004-2005) and FEU (2013-2016). In his two years as PBA coach, he established a 36-24 record for TNT.