PBA: Jong Uichico takes over as NLEX head coach

Coach Jong Uichico and NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES

NLEX has elevated nine-time champion Jong Uichico as its head coach ahead of next season’s PBA campaign, the team announced Friday.

Uichico was elevated by management in lieu of Frankie Lim, who the Road Warriors said stepped down from his post after almost two seasons that spanned four conferences.

Lim guided NLEX to two quarterfinal appearances under his watch.

READ: PBA: Jong Uichico admits nerves over interim head coach role

“We are grateful to coach Frankie Lim for his dedication to the Road Warriors and we thank him for his contributions,” team governor Ronald Dulatre 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.”

The move came months after Uichico was tapped by NLEX last December as lead assistant. He handled the Road Warriors for one game in the PBA Philippine Cup after Lim was sidelined by a hand injury.

It will be Uichico’s first head coaching stint since 2016 with TNT, but is best remembered for winning championships with San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra and the late 90s and 2000s.

READ: PBA: Jong Uichico joins NLEX as lead assistant coach

The Road Warriors are aiming for better results under Uichico after a 48th season that saw them miss the playoffs of the import-laden Commissioner’s Cup and swept by Meralco in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup.

Key pieces like Robert Bolick and rookies Jhan Nermal and Enoch Valdez are among those Uichico hopes to utilize even as NLEX waits for Kevin Alas to return from a left ACL tear sustained in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Lim went 22-27 as Road Warriors mentor. The ex-NCAA champion coach with San Beda took over from Yeng Guiao in the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup.