Jong Uichico, 2 other ex-PBA coaches to call shots in MPBL

Jong Uichico. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Former PBA head coaches Jong Uichico, Bong Ramos and Chris Gavina have taken their wares to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Uichico is a nine-time PBA champion and his winning pedigree is very much welcome to the Bataan Risers as the team’s new mentor.

The former national team coach replaced Jojo Lastimosa at the helm after the Risers suffered a semifinals exit in the recently-concluded Datu Cup despite being the top seed.

“I think the MPBL is good for me. Sometimes you just have to get out of your comfort zone and take on a new challenge. The level of competition in the MPBL is different, but I know I’m going to learn from this league,” said Uichico, who last called the shots for Talk ’N Text in the PBA in 2016.

Ramos, meanwhile, assumed the head coaching position at the Pampanga Lanterns, whose previous mentor Aldrin Morante joined Gavina at the Bacoor Strikers camp.

It’s still the same, five-on-five. In the end, it’s still basketball, the game that we all love,” Ramos said. “Whatever level it is, coaches are still driven by that purpose of teaching, learning and imparting his knowledge.”