Coach Carlos Garcia, Jenniebeth Racal Torres and Basketball Life

Ms. Jenniebeth Racal, team manager with the basketball team

We were privileged to seize an opportunity to conduct a brief interview with renowned basketball coach Carlos “Caloy” Garcia at the Nega Sports Center in Greenhills, San Juan City. Garcia, who’s a Filipino professional basketball assistant coach of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) immediately warmed up to us as we approached him. He once served as the head coach of the said team from 2009 to 2010. He’s the youngest coach on both PBA and PBL (Philippine Basketball League). Garcia played briefly for Dazz Dishwashing Paste in the PBL. He’s a cousin of B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados head  coach Jorge Gallent who like him was an alumna of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. He also assisted his alma mater and the Welcoat Paintmasters prior to his winning run with the Harbour Centre Batang Pier.

PBL Assistant Coach Carlos "Caloy" Garcia

Garcia admits that with the absence of head coach Yeng Guiao, it left the Elasto Painters somewhat slacking in their loss to Tropang TNT in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.  He said when he came to the help manage the PBL team, the guy said he believes in the potential and perseverance of the guys in the team, regardless if they were newbie aspirants or those with prior experiences. “As of now, we just need to sustain our good start as well as our defences. Kailangan nilang magkaroon ng kumpiyansa sa sarili nila.”

Nega Sports Basketball Court

The said basketball team is well supported by their team’s manager, Ms. Jenniebeth Racal Torres of the Racal Group of Companies.  A successful businesswoman, she says it makes her happy to be able to give job opportunities as well as to help needy charities apart from her joy in managing a basketball team. “Our family is very much inclined to business so it was but second nature to me.  We always pursue things not only for our family’s welfare but because it will also be beneficial to others,” she says.

A member of the PBL Team practices hoops

 A Marketing graduate from De La Salle University, she manages to overcome and juggle her tie attending to things she had to do: she’s a single mom 24/7, an entrepreneur and a basketball team manager are only among the many hats she wear.  When asked about her secret, she says, “I try to manage my priorities accordingly. There’s a big difference between trying to do it all and trying to have it all. It all boils down to proper time management."

Coach Carlos "Caloy" Garcia

Flitting between her regional points as a manager, travel remains to be a constant in Racal’s rigorous schedule. As much as each of her travels informs trajectory in business, family remains to be her inspiration. On the subject of having it all, all signs point to this: Jenniebeth Racal as well as the PBL Team she manages, she isn’t done trying other things just yet. So remember her name and humble beginnings. She and her group might just become a household word for everyone someday.