Olsen and Melissa Racela

Rodericko “Olsen” Racela is considered one of the formidable point guards in the basketball court, cheered and adored by thousands of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) fans, but inside their humble abode, it is his wife Melissa who directs the offensive and defensive strategies.

Olsen, whose name was coined because his birthday falls on All Saints’ Day, may not be your typical basketball player who has a towering height or physically dominant, but his supremacy lies in his ability to make good decisions and know when to step up for the team when he needs to.

Growing up, he would play hoops with his brothers Nash and Wally as well as other children in their neighborhood in Galas, Quezon City. In a way, their daily ball jaunts ignited his interest in sports, particularly basketball.

As a kid, he didn’t actually dream of becoming a professional basketball player. In fact, he wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer and defend people in court.

But he was destined to lead in a different kind of court, for his basketball skills helped secure for him a spot in the Ateneo de Manila University’s varsity team - the jump ball of his basketball career.

After finishing his college degree in interdisciplinary studies, he was drafted by Purefoods during the 1993 rookie draft. His career started off slow, since he would usually come off the bench and do backup role.

But due to hard work and perseverance, his career made a turnaround when he moved to San Miguel Beermen, under head coach Ron Jacobs. As history has it, Olsen has earned his slot among the best playmakers in the history of Philippine basketball.

Meanwhile, Melissa Puey is not your ordinary kind of woman. Blame it on her living with a father who’s a nature lover, an artist mother, and four brothers, Melissa grew up climbing hills and mountains, swimming in the rivers, and collecting insects and spiders.

Back then, she was a “tomboy.” In fact, her mother’s friends would always assume that they were five boys in their family. Maybe, it was because of her hairstyle which was patterned to a boy’s cut and the energy she exuded.

It was in high school when she found out that being a girl could be a lot of fun. She began wearing dresses and doing girly things. Soon after graduation, she went to Manila to find her own niche and earn a living.

In 1993, Olsen and Melissa met through a blind date which was arranged by the girlfriend of Olsen’s ex-teammate who turned out to be a friend of Melissa.

It would be easy for many to assume that Melissa fell for Olsen because he’s a well-known basketball player, but truth be said, it was not love at first sight at all. It wasn’t like a prince sweeping the princess off her feet. It was just about two people enjoying each other’s company. Olsen and Melissa found a friend in each other.

So, how did Olsen ask Melissa to be his girlfriend? Melissa reveals: “Wala naman siyang sinasabi. Later on na lang, napansin ko na siguro gusto niya ako. So noong birthday ko, I asked him if he had something to tell me. Parang napipilitan pa siyang magsabi ng ‘I love you.’ Tapos hinihintay niya kung ano sasabihin ko. I just told him, ‘thank you for loving me.’ After two days, sinagot ko na siya.”

After five years, Olsen proposed marriage to Melissa with a bunch of flowers on Valentine’s Day.

“We were in Bacolod then because Olsen and his team had an out of town game. Since it was Valentine’s, I went with him, but I stayed with my family. The whole day, I was contemplating why he hasn’t sent me something. Iyun pala, he already sent flowers to our house, and morning pa lang natanggap na ng lola ko,” shares Melissa.

When she saw the flowers, she saw a note tucked into them and while she was reading the message, everybody was looking at her expectantly. The message was: “Will you marry me?” They got married in 1998, and were blessed with three children: Ryan Anthony, Rafael Antonio, and Raya Antonette.

On living in the public’s eye

He said: Compared to others, I’m not the face of the PBA. Sometimes, I’m just an ordinary person in the mall. Minsan lang napapansin ng tao kapag talagang tinitigan. Of course, it is flattering pag nakikilala ako sa mall. Before, my kids didn’t understand why people come up to me, ask for my autograph, take pictures and say hi to me. They would ask me if I knew that person. I would answer “no” and they would utter, “Bakit ka nag-hi?”

She said: Siya kasi he got used to it na. Since college, he’s playing na sa UAAP. I’m always associated with him as his wife. I can’t really say that I resent or enjoy it. Siguro may perks lang. People like to get to know you. Kapag nalaman nilang I’m Olsen’s wife, natutuwa sila.

On children following their footsteps:

He said: We will support them with whatever profession or endeavor they will take. If they choose basketball, well and good because I’ve done it and I can give them advice. If it’s some other profession, that’s okay. But one thing we want them to take up is sports because they can learn many things that they wouldn’t learn in schools like values such as discipline, patience, and hard work. Of course, we want them to concentrate on their studies.

She said: It would be nice if they make their own footsteps. Although our second son also plays basketball, I know he will take a different path. I don’t want them to follow the same footsteps. I want them to have their own identity and explore other interests.

On being parents to Rara, Rafa, and Raya:

He said: We allow them to make mistakes once or twice, but on the third, doon na ako nagagalit. If they did something wrong, I would ask them if it was a bad or good thing. If it is bad, I would tell them not to do it again. But sometimes, words are not enough lalo na pag lumalaki. Minsan, medyo paluin ng konti so they will remember.

She said: Sobra akong magpapakita ng love sa kanila, kulang na lang paliguan sila at subuan sila. So I feel that they think na sobrang love ako ng mother ko na hindi niya ako papagalitan. Kaya siguro medyo spoiler ako.  Kids, they test you. Iniisip nila kung ilan try kaya ang gagawin nila before sila mapagalitan.

On traveling and bonding:

He said: The thing about my schedule sa PBA, you can’t plan ahead. Pag summer (vacation) ng mga bata, ongoing ang season. Kapag off-season, start ng school naman. Plus, you can’t predict kung papasok sa quarterfinals, semis and finals. We take advantage of long weekends na biglang walang practice. We go out of town.

She said: Last year, we went to Disneyland in Hong Kong and that was in July, start na yun ng school year. It was also in July when we went to Boracay and it was already rainy season. On regular days, we go to the malls and watch movies.

On their relationship:

He said: I’m not really vocal and demonstrative. But now I’ve come to realize how important it is to tell your family how you feel about them. I try to be like that to my children. I let Melissa run things in the house but when it comes to major decisions, ako yun. I always step back and observe. I don’t take the lead right away, just how I am in the court. I lead by example.

She said: I try to submit to him. Pero kapag hindi ko na kaya, I would tell him “bakit ganito, bakit ganyan.” I’m affectionate. Bago matulog, I would hug him and the kids.