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Kevin Racal

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Relato and the surname or paternal family name is Racal.
Kevin Racal
No. 16 – Converge FiberXers
PositionSmall forward
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1991-05-16) May 16, 1991 (age 33)
Mandaluyong, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High schoolMuntinlupa National High School (Muntinlupa)
College
PBA draft2015: 1st round, 11th overall pick
Selected by the Alaska Aces
Playing career2015–present
Career history
2015–2022Alaska Aces
2022–presentConverge FiberXers
Career highlights and awards

Kevin Kent Relato Racal (born May 16, 1991) is a Filipino professional basketball player who plays for the Converge FiberXers of the PBA. He is also a former collegiate player for the Letran Knights, helping them reach the NCAA Finals three times and winning one championship with them in 2015.

College career

Racal first studied at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and suited up for the PLMun Marshalls in the UCLAA.[1] In 2010, he led the Muntinlupa cagers to win the inaugural Coca-Cola Hoopla title by scoring 41 points and was awarded MVP of the tournament.[2] His stint at the Coca-Cola Hoopla was a way for him to be discovered and subsequently recruited to continue his studies at Colegio de San Juan de Letran and play for the Letran Knights.

In his rookie season in 2011, he was a noted slasher, averaging 6.8 points per game.[3] His best performance of his rookie season came in a win over the San Sebastian Stags, in which he contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists.[4] He also gained a reputation as a rugged, hard-nosed defender, as shown during their Final Four match against San Sebastian (in which he nearly had a triple-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists) and the finals series against the San Beda Red Lions in 2012.[5][6] However, in Game 3 of that finals series, he shot only 1-of-9 from the field, and San Beda won the championship.[7]

Upon the graduation of Kevin Alas, Racal and playmaker Mark Cruz took over the scoring reins for the team and powered the Knights to a finals rematch against the Red Lions in 2013 but still came up short.[8][9] On September 23, 2014, he suffered an ACL injury and was ruled out for the rest of the season while his team was eliminated from the Final Four contention.[10]

He returned to action for the 91st season as the Knights went for the title in his last playing year.[11] In a win over San Beda, he scored eight of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to get into a tie for the first seed with the Perpetual Altas.[12] He then scored 24 points in a win over the Arellano Chiefs as they swept the first round.[13] That season, he was playing out of position as a power forward when he would normally be playing the wing positions.[14] They successfully got back into the Final Four with a twice-to-beat advantage.[15] From there, they got back into the finals where in Game 1, he scored a career-high 28 points to lead the team to the win.[16] His team successfully dethroned the Red Lions in Game 3 to win the NCAA Championship, which Letran last won in 2005.[17] In that game, he finished with 23 points, five rebounds and two assists.[18] However, a day after he won the championship, he made racist online comments about a San Beda player. He deleted the comments and apologized on Facebook.[19] For his performance that season, he won the Pivotal Player of the Year award together with FEU's Roger Pogoy in the 2016 Collegiate Basketball Awards organized by UAAP-NCAA Press Corps.[20]

Professional career

Alaska Aces (2015–2022)

On August 23, 2015, Racal was drafted 11th overall by the Alaska Aces in the 2015 PBA draft.[21] On October 30, 2015, a day after he won a championship for Letran, he signed a two-year multi-million contract to play for the Aces.[22] He played few minutes in the beginning of the season until he suddenly got inserted into the starting lineup for Game 4 of the 2016 Commissioner's Cup Finals against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as a replacement for the injured Ping Exciminiano.[23] In that game, he contributed seven points, three rebounds, two assists and three turnovers while defending Paul Lee as Alaska got its first win of the series. In Game 6, he scored 15 points, but Alaska lost and Rain or Shine won the championship.[24]

In a 2016–17 Philippine Cup loss to the TNT KaTropa, Racal scored 14 points.[25] In a win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters, he scored a PBA career-high 20 points along with six rebounds in 37 minutes as he stepped up for the injured Calvin Abueva.[26] That season, he struggled with his shooting, as he often had bad shooting nights.[27] Also, the Aces failed to make the playoffs of two conferences and also lost 14 straight games.[28] At the end of the season, he was given a two-year contract.

In a 2017–18 Philippine Cup win over the Meralco Bolts, Racal made two clutch three-pointers as the Aces won their first game of the season.[27] From there, they won three more games including one over the Blackwater Elite in which he contributed 14 points with two made triples and four rebounds.[29] They got into the playoffs thanks to a win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in which he had 13 points and a clutch free throw made with three seconds remaining.[30] In the quarterfinals, they lost twice to the NLEX Road Warriors, and were eliminated.[31] In the 2018 Governors' Cup, the Aces made it to the Finals by beating Meralco in the semifinals.[32] There, they lost to the Magnolia Hotshots in six games.[33]

Throughout the 2019 season, Racal suffered from back injuries.[34][35] He was able to play in the Governors' Cup, helping them gain the seventh seed after starting the conference with five straight losses.[36] He signed another two-year deal with them at the end of their season.[37]

In the opening game of the Aces' 2020 season, Racal hurt his knee.[38] A day later, it was confirmed that he had torn his ACL and would not be able to play for the rest of the season.[39] He made his return in the 2021 Governors' Cup.[40]

Converge FiberXers (2022–present)

On April 27, 2022, Racal signed a one-year deal with the Converge FiberXers, the new team that took over the defunct Alaska Aces franchise.[41] In a Philippine Cup loss to TNT, he scored 15 points.[42] On April 18, 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension with the team.[43]

PBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

As of the end of 2023–24 season[44]

Season-by-season averages

Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Alaska 26 17.9 .462 .324 .692 1.7 .9 .4 .1 3.9
2016–17 Alaska 35 26.1 .352 .292 .750 3.0 1.3 .7 .3 5.7
2017–18 Alaska 51 23.6 .401 .370 .735 3.0 1.6 .9 .1 5.8
2019 Alaska 25 21.4 .443 .412 .815 2.6 1.3 .8 .3 4.8
2020 Alaska 1 13.3 .750 1.000 — 2.0 1.0 1.0 — 8.0
2021 Alaska 13 13.0 .400 .333 .000 1.0 .8 .5 .1 2.3
2022–23 Converge 35 17.0 .351 .321 .920 1.9 .9 .5 .2 4.1
2023–24 Converge 8 21.1 .400 .263 .700 3.4 1.0 .3 — 5.0
Career 194 21.0 .394 .343 .757 2.5 1.2 .6 .2 4.9

Personal life

In 2020, Racal married his long-time partner, Sarah Ramirez.[45] They currently have two daughters.[46]

References

  1. ^ "St. Francis grabs lead in UCLAA". The Philippine Star. November 28, 2008. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  2. ^ "Muntinlupa upstages Pasig anew, captures Hoopla crown". GMA News and Public Affairs. June 13, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  3. ^ "Kevin Racal Player Profile :: PBA-Online!". pba-online.net. Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Letran Knights vs Arellano Chiefs". Philstar.com. July 15, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Flores, Celest R. (October 13, 2012). "Alas scatters 43 points as Letran forces do-or-die against San Sebastian". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "NCAA Season 88 Finals: Throwdown". GameFace.ph. October 17, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  7. ^ Fopalan, Renee Avena. "Gallant in defeat - the Letran Knights and a possible future without aces | NCAA Philippines". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  8. ^ "Letran's Racal named NCAA Player of the Week". Philstar.com. September 3, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Villar, Joey (November 16, 2013). "Lions roar to four-peat, best Knights". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  10. ^ Sacamos, Karlo. "Arellano Chiefs eliminate Letran Knights and secure playoff for a Final Four berth (September 24, 2014)". SPIN.ph. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Pressure on for new coach Aldin Ayo, comebacking Kevin Racal as Knights look to bounce back after dismal season". SPIN.ph. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  12. ^ Terrado, Reuben (July 16, 2015). "Letran Knights stun San Beda Red Lions to gain share of lead in NCAA Season 91". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Terrado, Reuben (July 31, 2015). "Letran Knights stay on course for first-round sweep after turning back Chiefs". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  14. ^ Villar, Joey (August 2, 2015). "Racal big factor in Knights' rise". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  15. ^ Villar, Joey (October 10, 2015). "Knights all pumped up with F4 entry". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  16. ^ Almo, Alder (October 23, 2015). "Knight in shining armor: Racal lifts Letran past San Beda in Game 1". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  17. ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 29, 2015). "tran Knights win Game Three in overtime, end San Beda dynasty in NCAA". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  18. ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 29, 2015). "Kevin Racal moves to PBA with sense of fulfillment after ending run of Letran heartaches". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  19. ^ Almo, Alder (October 30, 2015). "Racal issues public apology for racist remarks on Adeogun". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "Pogoy, Racal to be feted for collegiate finals heroics". ABS-CBN Sports. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  21. ^ "Moala Tautuaa goes first overall in 2015 PBA Draft". Rappler.com. 23 August 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  22. ^ Ramos, Gerry. "Alaska wastes no time, signs Letran hero Kevin Racal to two-year rookie deal". SPIN.ph. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  23. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (May 14, 2016). "Surprise Alaska starter Kevin Racal hopes to keep repaying trust of coach Compton". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  24. ^ Gonzales, J. C. (May 18, 2016). "Rain or Shine wins second PBA championship". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  25. ^ Li, Matthew (December 23, 2016). "TNT torches Alaska for share of second". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  26. ^ Li, Matthew (January 27, 2017). "Racal steps up for Abueva, notches career-high". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  27. ^ a b Bacnis, Justine (January 10, 2018). "Scrutinized Kevin Racal finally breaks out of slump". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  28. ^ Ramos, Gerry (September 28, 2017). "Alaska signs Kevin Racal, Ping Exciminiano, Yutien Andrada, JP Mendoza to new deals". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  29. ^ Bacnis, Justine (January 27, 2018). "Calvin Abueva-less Alaska holds off Blackwater for 4th straight win". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  30. ^ Bacnis, Justine (February 23, 2018). "JVee Casio's triple-double lifts Alaska past Rain or Shine". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  31. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 7, 2018). "NLEX continues to be Alaska's roadblock, books first-ever trip to the semifinals". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  32. ^ Bacnis, Justine (November 17, 2018). "Alaska finishes off Meralco, books Finals meet-up with Magnolia". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  33. ^ Ballesteros, Jan (December 19, 2018). "Hotshots claim Governors' Cup crown with Game 6 win". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  34. ^ Bacnis, Justine (2019-03-20). "Jvee Casio, Kevin Racal return sparks Alaska's playoff hopes". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "Cariaso believes Alaska will make the playoffs". pba.ph. October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  36. ^ Bacnis, Justine (November 20, 2019). "Alaska zooms past NLEX, completes quarterfinal cast". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  37. ^ Ramos, Gerry (December 17, 2019). "Alaska keeps Racal on two-year contact, signs rookie Marcelino". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  38. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 14, 2020). "Alaska hoping to get Ahanmisi, Racal back before it's too late". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  39. ^ Bacnis, Justine (October 15, 2020). "Kevin Racal suffers torn right ACL in PBA Bubble". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  40. ^ Ramos, Gerry (November 16, 2021). "Fit-again Kevin Racal ready to rejoin Alaska after Gab Banal departure". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  41. ^ Ramos, Gerry (April 27, 2022). "Bulanadi, Racal signed to new contracts by Converge". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  42. ^ Bacnis, Justine (June 12, 2022). "PBA: Castro, TNT find better endgame connection vs Converge in first-ever meeting". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  43. ^ Ramos, Gerry (April 18, 2022). "Converge signs big man Kevin Racal to new two-year deal". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  44. ^ "Kevin Racal Player Profile, Converge Fiber Xers - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  45. ^ "LOOK: Kevin Racal and Sarah Ramirez tie the knot this 2020 | Fastbreak". January 11, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  46. ^ Ballesteros, Jan (April 20, 2023). "Kevin Racal builds his dream home with a few demands". onesports.ph. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
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