BIÑAN CITY—For a guy with sparkling credentials, multititled coach Jong Uichico knows he has his work cut out for him in his new role for the Bataan Risers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Made up of a good mix of MPBL veterans and former collegiate stars, the Risers gave Uichico a winning debut in the Lakan Season as they rolled to a 75-62 victory at the expense of Biñan City Krah Heroes on Monday night at Alonte Sports Arena.
The Risers scored just 15 points in the first period, before finding their groove in the next two quarters to dismiss a Biñan team that couldn’t seem to get its act together.
Despite being a nine-time PBA champion coach and a former national team coach, Uichico admitted the MPBL experience was a new one
for him.
“This is something new,” Uichico said. “There’s not much teaching to do as you have no control of what’s happening at times. It’s a free-flowing game. But I have to adjust.”