Olsen Racela, the smart, veteran San Miguel point guard, is willing to accept a contract extension the team is likely to offer once the short, three-month deal he signed prior to the Philippine Cup expires by the end of November.
But that doesn’t mean he’s about to put aside those poignant retirement ceremonies awaiting him.
"This will definitely be my last season," guaranteed Olsen, who turns 40 when the nation celebrates All Saints’ Day (from where his name was derived).
"’
Yun talaga ang plano. I really wanted to retire at the age of 40. Gusto ko talaga hanggang birthday ko lang," he said.
That’s the reason why he opted for a brief contract with the team he considered his second family the last decade or so, ready to move on and try on a new career, like coaching, when the curtains finally fall on his illustrious career.
Yet, he can’t say no, too, to the same ballclub that has been good to him the past several years, the very same franchise he helped steer to seven PBA titles, adding:
"Baka naman kailangan pa siguro ako ng team."
"Actually, napag-uusapan pa lang `yun (extension). Hindi ko pa alam `yung length of contract they will offer. Management said it’s up to coach Ato (Agustin). But the idea is really to finish this conference," he stressed.
It’s been a long journey, according to the 5-foot-10 guard out of Ateneo, a stretch that spanned 17 years, a stint with two different ball clubs, and championships won that fall one short of completing a full circle of rings on all his 10 fingers.
Retiring at the age when life really begins is not part of his plans.
"
Nung umpisa, hindi ko akalain na aabot ako ng ganito. Ten years nga lang ang expectations ko. Ang daming magagaling na kasabayan ko," he said, referring to the likes of Johnny Abarrientos and Boyet Fernandez, point guards par excellence who entered the PBA the same time Olsen did back in 1993.
"Pero nangyari na lang. Alam naman nating bihira ang PBA player na nakakalaro pa ng ganyang edad."
He’s definitely in great company.
Only five players in the 36-year history of the PBA left the game at the age of 40 and above, namely, four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Yoyoy Villamin, Terry Saldana and the unsinkable Robert Jaworski.
Asked about the secret behind his longevity, Olsen pointed to his health and genes as the two biggest factors.
Racela admits time has finally come to quit
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