ANTIPOLO - From team roster to coaching staff, the facelift continues for NLEX.
After altering its lineup recently by acquiring Robert Bolick in a major trade, the team made another move by tapping veteran and former Philippine men's basketball coach Jong Uichico to become part of its coaching staff.
NLEX announced the hiring of Uichico on Sunday as he joins the staff of head coach Frankie Lim.
UICHICO HAS 9 PBA TITLES
Until Jojo Lastimosa steered TNT to the Governors’ Cup championship last season, Uichico was the last coach to guide an MVP team to a PBA title back in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup while he still calls the shots for the Tropang Giga.
He’s currently tied with Chot Reyes and Leo Austria in the all-time list of winning coaches at third place with nine championships each.
He joins the team of NLEX deputy coaches which include veteran Adonis Tierra, Borgie Hermida, Emman Monfort, and Jorge Sison.
Uichico was grateful to NLEX management for giving him a chance to join the organization and make a comeback in the PBA.
The 61-year-old coach, who began his career with San Miguel Beer, will officially join the Road Warriors’ bench on Dec. 22 when the team plays Blackwater Bossing at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NLEX GOVERNOR WELCOMES JONG
“There’s so much value in having a seasoned coach like Jong Uichico joining the Road Warriors,” said NLEX Governor Ronald Dulatre. “He’s a two-time PBA Coach of the Year and is one of the finest coaches the country has ever produced.
Uichico holds the position as the head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Coaches’ Academy and has been a long-time coach in the Gilas Pilipinas program. He was on the bench when the team recaptured the SEA Games and Asian Games gold medals in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Hangzhou, China.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
