Two teams, two different leagues, one similarity–and it’s no surprise
They are two different programs in two different varsity leagues. But the fact that the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP and the Perpetual Help Altas in the NCAA seem to share the same defensive DNA is no coincidence.
Their coaches share the same DNA—literally.
“It can’t be helped that when we see each other, we talk about basketball,” Nash Racela, the Adamson coach, told the Inquirer late Tuesday evening. “But we don’t see each other just to talk about basketball.”
Racela is talking about his brother, Olsen, who coaches Perpetual in the NCAA.
Their teams are currently on different paths. The Altas swept their first run of four group matches under the new NCAA format. The Falcons have been struggling, losing four of their first six games.
Still, their defense has been so similar, it’s almost eerie—but elite.
They both don’t rank high in the highlight defensive categories: steals and blocks. They play defense by making shots difficult for opponents.
“We have no choice,” Nash said, laughing. “We have difficulties making shots so damay-damay nalang (let’s put others in the same boat).”
Going into Wednesday, the Falcons were surrendering 63.0 points per game, No. 1 in the UAAP. The Altas? 61.8—best in the NCAA.
Both programs are No. 1 in their leagues in allowed field goals rate, with Adamson surrendering 36.3% and Perpetual yielding 34.4%. They’re both first in two-point field goals percentage allowed (Adamson 39.3; Perpetual 41.0). They’re both second in perimeter points allowed (Adamson 25.2; Perpetual Help 23.0) and points in the paint allowed (Adamson 23.7; Perpetual 28.0).
“I think it’s because of our basketball upbringing,” Olsen told the Inquirer on Wednesday.
“Our general philosophies are the same; it’s just the details where we differ,” Nash said. “We might give up different things (defensively).”
Looks like it. Teams hit 30.2% of their threes against Adamson (sixth in the UAAP), while opponents are only 23.8% against Perpetual (fourth in the NCAA).
Even the unquantifiable details matter.
“Talent-wise, both leagues are different,” Olsen said. “Nash and the UAAP have imports, so you have to be picky with switches because of mismatches. In the NCAA, the sizes are almost the same, there are no imports, so you can switch more freely.”
The Altas saw their streak snapped on Wednesday after a defeat to Letran. But even then, their defense shone, and it was their offense that faltered in a 63-56 loss.
Part of the shared focus on defense is that both coaches have sat on the bench together (Nash was Olsen’s assistant in the latter’s first coaching gig, with the national youth team). They’ve also employed the same assistants, some at the same time. Richie Ticzon, Gilbert Lao, Allan Albano and Ryan Betia, for example, have been deputies to either brother.
“Our focus has always been defense,” Nash said. “If [the Falcons] want to play, they have to defend. They know their minutes are tied to their willingness to play defense.”
At this point, it’s useless to ask Olsen if things are the same with the Altas.
