By Maxine Alessandra Turiano 

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela and FEU basketball icon Johnny Abarrientos declared their support for the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo in the May 9 elections.

In a video released Sunday, April 24, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars Racela and Abarrientos were joined by Jojo Lastimosa and PBA coach Yeng Guiao—comparing leadership in basketball language.

“Sa basketball, hindi pwedeng pa-absent-absent kapag may training o laban. Dapat laging present (In basketball, you can’t be absent in training or games. You must always be present). You show up in the most difficult time,” Racela said.

Abarrientos added, “At sa basketball, hindi ka pwedeng sumuko. Laban lang nang laban, kahit na pinipilit kang i-foul out ng kalaban! (In basketball, you can’t give up. Just keep fighting, even if your opponent’s trying to foul you out!)"

Racela then pointed out the importance of having a good track record. 

“At ang husay at tibay ng pagiging leader, hindi nasusukat sa kasarian kundi sa kanyang napatunayan na track record (And a leader’s excellence and strength can’t be measured by gender, but through its track record),” he said.

In a tweet, Vice President Robredo thanked them for the endorsement. “My basketball-crazy family is truly humbled by your support.”

RJ Abarrientos, currently a rookie player for FEU Tamaraws and nephew of Johnny Abarrientos, has also expressed his support for Vice President Robredo on Facebook.

(Photos screenshot from Angat Buhay Ang Lahat Facebook page)