MONTALBAN – Rare are the times when veteran coach Jong Uichico loses his cool during a game.
But when he was ejected for the very first time in his coaching career, he had no need to go into panic mode in leaving behind the NLEX bench.
He had no doubt the Road Warriors were still in good hands - and credit that to a competent coaching staff led by chief deputy Borgie Hermida.
“Maganda naman yung decisions ni Borgie and ng coaching staff. Of course, I gave my inputs, but sila (coaching staff) naman yung nagpanalo ng laro at saka yung mga players,” Uichico related to SPIN.ph when after everyone else had left the Ynares Center late Friday night after his side rallied for a 104-101 win over Meralco in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup eliminations encounter.
READ: Ljay Gonzales trey at the buzzer lifts NLEX to OT win vs Meralco
Uichico was thrown out with two minutes remaining in the second quarter for physically contacting a game official after no foul was called on a sequence where Robert Bolick faked and tried to shoot against the leech-like defense of Cliff Hodge.
NLEX was trailing, 29-42, when Uichico, 63, was tossed out for the first time in his career.
By halftime, the veteran tactician had one clear instruction to the Road Warriors.
“Nag-apologize ako sa team,” Uichico said, “But I told them you’re in good hands with Borgie. And stay together.”
Rallying Road Warriors
The Road Warriors took the advice to heart and rallied from as much as a 17-point deficit and forced overtime, before rookie L-Jay Gonzales hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to win it for good.
By his lonesome inside the dugout, Uichico was shouting at the top of his voice and banging the table with his hands like a crazy man, as he watched the rest of the game through YouTube.
“Binabato ko na yung silya, hinahampas ko na yung mesa,” he said with a laugh. “Siyempre unavoidable na yun. Parang naging fan ka na.”
But he lauded everyone in the team for what he referred to as a ‘great comeback.’
“Sixteen or 17 points down yata. But they kept their discipline, they kept their poise. Basta laro lang,” he said of NLEX's effort. “Pero ang hirap kalaban ng Meralco. Championship experience na kasi yun.”
The win was the fourth straight for the Road Warriors, as they improved to solo second with a 6-1 standing.
It would be a quick turnaround, though, for the team, as it faces San Miguel right away on Sunday, with the Beermen parading replacement import and comebacking Bennie Boatwright.
The head coach is expected to be back on the NLEX bench by that time.
“Or si Borgie na lang, puwede naman,” said a smiling Uichico.
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