JONG Uichico is grateful to Nelson Asaytono and Danny Seigle, new members of the PBA 50 Greatest Players list, saying he wouldn't have had a successful coaching career without the two.
Uichico said he was glad that Asaytono and Seigle were among the 10 new members of the greatest list which is a long time coming, especially for Asaytono.
“Nag-usap kami ni Nelson. Masaya ako para sa kanya. Masaya ako para kay Danny Seigle kasi naging player ko rin sila,” said Uichico, who witnessed the induction of Asaytono and Seigle in the elite group during the league’s 50th anniversary celebration in his capacity as NLEX coach.
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“Utang na loob ko ‘yung nandito ako dahil sa kanila. Ang saya na na-awardan sila ng greatest sa PBA, lalo na si Nelson,” said the 62-year-old Uichico, who handled Asaytono mostly when he was an assistant coach at San Miguel under Ron Jacobs.
“Mabait si Nelson. At least, nandiyan na siya. Masaya naman talaga si Nelson. Very appreciative siya na na-awardan siya, pati ‘yung mga kakampi niya, mga ka-player niya, masaya para sa kanya. Ganun naman sa PBA. Masaya sila para sa isa’t isa,” said Uichico.
Aside from Seigle, Uichico also won some of his nine championships with Danny Ildefonso, who is already in the greatest list being the MVP in 2000 and 2001.
Uichico won six of his nine titles in the PBA with San Miguel.
“Proud na proud ako na I was part of their career, ‘yung talagang nandoon. Kakampi, hindi kalaban. I’m so proud of them and I appreciate them kasi nung nagko-coach ako sa kanila, binibigay nila ‘yung kakayahan nila. And like I said, wala naman ako kung hindi dahil sa kanila. Hopefully, the others, next 10, next 15, iba naman. Lahat sila deserving. Marami pa naman ‘yan darating na greatest PBA players,” said Uichico.
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One player that some fans also thought that should already be included in the greatest players is Olsen Racela, who was also a key player in those San Miguel teams.
“The time will come,” said Uichico of Racela, who was also part of all six titles he won with San Miguel. “His name will always be there. Unfortunately, kailangan mamili eh. I’m sure he will be the greatest, one of the candidates for the greatest – 60, 70, 100, nandiyan palagi si Olsen.”
“All of this champion teams, sigurado magiging part sila diyan. That’s why they are a champion team because they are champion players,” said Uichico.
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