NLEX parted ways with erstwhile coach Frankie Lim three days back and handed the reins to multi-titled tactician Jong Uichico for the PBA’s 49th season.
The Road Warriors’ move did not come as a surprise to the pro league circles–in fact, there were already talks of the move in the grapevine since the former national team coach linked up with the squad as lead deputy last December.
“The NLEX Road Warriors are excited to take this new journey with coach Jong Uichico,” NLEX Corp. president and general manager Luigi Bautista said in a statement.
“He brings a wealth of experience to the squad and a clear idea of what it takes to win a championship as the fourth-winningest coach in PBA history.”
In four conferences at the helm of the Road Warriors after replacing Yeng Guiao, Lim amassed a 22-29 record overall, with the team missing the playoffs twice. He guided the Road Warriors to the quarterfinals of the ongoing Philippine Cup, but they were wept by the Meralco Bolts in the best-of-3 series.
Still bidding for a breakthrough title since joining Asia’s first play for pay league in 2014, NLEX expressed gratitude to Lim and at the same time expressed high hopes Uichico can bring them to greater heights.
“We are grateful to coach Frankie Lim for his dedication to the Road Warriors, and we thank him for his contributions,” the team said.
“We also thank coach Jong Uichico for taking on this new challenge to lead the Road Warriors as we start our preparations for the upcoming PBA season.”
Uichico has won nine titles, the last in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup when he was still with TNT. He previously steered San Miguel and Ginebra to six and two crowns, respectively.
He also heads the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Coaches Academy and a long-time member of the Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff.
Uichico was a member of the Philippine five’s brain thrust that won the gold medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
