Olsen Racela accepts Altas coaching job 'in principle'

MANILA, Philippines -- Olsen Racela is set to return to the collegiate ranks to coach, as he has agreed "in principle" to coach the Perpetual Help Altas, he said on Friday.

But there is nothing final yet as the PBA legend is yet to put pen on paper.

Racela, who coached the FEU Tamaraws for five seasons in the UAAP, said he has agreed in principle to coach Perpetual.

The guard, a multiple-time champion in the PBA, is currently the assistant coach of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

The Altas barely missed the Final Four in the recently-concluded NCAA Season 99 with a 10-8 slate.

Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson said he is happy that Racela will be the head coach of his alma mater.

"I think, so far, it's all good. Our preparations, hopefully, will continue. I think it is already confirmed that he has taken the coaching job in Perpetual," Thompson told reporters in a separate interview also on Friday.

"We're happy that [Racela] is on board, and we're happy that Coach Myk [Saguiguit] is still part of the team," he added.

Saguiguit will be the assistant coach of the team.

Thompson, however, underscored that the San Miguel Corporation has no involvement in the coaching change.

"It was just me and Coach Olsen who talked. I was asked by the management of Perpetual to try and contact Coach Olsen because I play for Ginebra, and to convince him to take the job. We are happy in Perpetual," the guard said.

Thompson will continue to be team manager, he bared.

"The good thing is the system that [Racela] will enact will be almost the same. It is great that I will be able to help the players, with me helping Coach O run his system. I have an idea," he said.

"Hopefully, the players will be happy with the changes."