UICHICO WANTS NLEX TO DEVELOP CONSISTENCY

(UPDATE) BACK at the head coaching post for the first time since 2016, Jong Uichico has set a clear goal of developing NLEX into a team that will be a "consistent" squad as the Road Warriors prepare in the offseason with a new head coach.

Last Friday, the 61-year-old Uichico was appointed NLEX's new head coach, succeeding Frankie Lim, who stepped down from his post after a two-year coaching stint.

The soft-spoken Filipino veteran mentor said his appointment came in a matter of one day, leaving him "very surprised" and yes, with mixed emotions.

"Very surprised (with the appointment) because the head coaching (career) is no longer on my radar," Uichico said during his guest appearance at the Power and Play sports program.

Uichico shared he's been very satisfied being at the background, helping Lim as one of the NLEX assistant coaches, while also being part of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' Coaches Academy.

But now that he's been thrust back into head coaching, he sees this new career "terrain" so to speak as a new mountain to conquer.

And while he's been away for nearly a decade from the pro basketball coaching scene, Uichico said he's been blessed to still be able to observe how the game has evolved, thus he expects a more seamless transition as NLEX's new bench tactician.

Uichico said there's no doubt that NLEX has a gem of a player in Robert Bolick, who leads the league in scoring with 28.3 points per contest, to go along with 5.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists during the Road Warriors' short-lived playoff appearance in the Philippine Cup.

But in order for NLEX to get deeper into the playoffs in the future and compete for a championship, the new Road Warriors mentor is convinced that they will have to strengthen several spots.

2024-06-10T16:31:09Z dg43tfdfdgfd