THE veteran and champion coach that he is, Jong Uichico admitted feeling a bit different as he called the shots in a PBA game for the first time in a long while.
It’s been almost eight years since Uichico last coached in a game in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league.
“Nangangapa. Siyempre iba na yung laro ngayon, iba na rin ang coaching style,” said the 61-year-old Uichico on Wednesday night.
READ NLEX cools down Blackwater with a hail of clutch treys
In this case, Uichico proved he’s still capable of leading NLEX to a 103-97 win over previously undefeated Blackwater in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena.
One of the deputies at NLEX, the nine-time champion coach was thrust back into the limelight on short notice as head coach Frankie Lim suffered a hand injury on the eve of the Road Warriors’ game against the Bossing.
It was the first time Uichico coached in a PBA game since his time with TNT from 2014-16.
“This morning ko lang nalaman. So medyo rush rush yung preparation as a head coach. Kasi kailangan mag-prepara ka, so medyo rush rush yung preparation,” he said.
But with an excellent coaching staff and the Road Warriors playing with total team effort, NLEX managed to give Uichico the victory just three weeks since he joined the franchise.
Robert Bolick hit back-to-back dagger treys inside the final 47 seconds, while support players Jan Nermal (16 points), Anthony Semerad (11 points), Dominick Fajrado (14 points, Rob Herndon (14 points), and Baser Amer (11 points) came through for the Road Warriors, who improved to a 4-1 record.
“Mabuti naman we have able and capable assistant coaches that’s in charge of the offense, in charge of the defense cause I don’t know all the plays. I just know kung ano yung game plan ni coach Frankie so we just followed it on both ends of the floor,” said Uichico.
“Tinulungan na rin naman ako ng mga coaches. I just managed the game by timeouts, and talk to the players on what they’re doing wrong or not,” said Uichico, giving credit to fellow deputies Adonis Tierra, Borgie Hermida, Emman Monfort, and Jorge Sison.
Uichico doesn’t see himself calling the shots for NLEX over an extended period of time, expecting Lim to return to his old post.
“Sandali lang yun. I think he just injured his hand sa practice. Tinamaan kasi ng bola yun, so medyo super sakit kaya hindi siya nakapunta,” Uichico said about the NLEX head coach.
“Pero pag naayos yun, mahaba naman yung break, he should be back by Monday kasi matagal naman (ang break).”
The Road Warriors, indeed, will have along, three-week break as they won’t return to action again at least after the Holy Week.
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