PBA: Staying close to game helping Jong Uichico adjust in return

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

It has been nearly a decade since Jong Uichico coached in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

And he admits a lot has changed since then.

“The game is really different now,” the former TNT coach told the Inquirer in a candid chat recently. “It’s unlike when I was [a] head [coach] some years back.”

READ: PBA: Jong Uichico takes over as NLEX coach

“In terms of systems, the game today shows more ball movement, with emphasis on … three-point shooting—to the point that has become excessive,” he added with a chuckle.

Almost eight years removed from coaching, Uichico will now call the shots for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA’s 49th season.

The 62-year-old mentor was officially given the keys to the Road Warriors squad back in June and even with what he feels are major shifts in the way the game is being played, he feels that he is pretty much caught up with modern hoops.

After all, he has been within close proximity to the game.

Nine-time champ

A winner of nine PBA crowns, Uichico is a frequent call-up to the national team coaching staff, serving as assistant to Gilas Pilipinas head coaches Tim Cone and Chot Reyes. He was also a deputy for Frankie Lim at NLEX before being appointed to the top post.

He also supervises the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas’ nationwide coaching clinics.

“I may not have been [a head coach for some time], but I was never really away from the game of basketball,” Uichico said. “For some coaches, [when they’re out], they were truly out. But I’m blessed to stay in a basketball environment, to be where the actual action is.”

For Uichico learning—and in his case, relearning—won’t be difficult, just different.

“[N]ow … I’m now going to have the final say on decisions,” he said. “But other than that, and in terms of training and game planning, I haven’t been away from that kind of position anyway.”

With his pedigree, Uichico is expected to bring NLEX to greater heights. The Road Warriors were only able to crack the playoffs once in the previous season, getting into the quarterfinals of the last Philippine Cup.

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

The farthest the franchise reached was the final four of the all-Filipino showcase back in the summer of 2018.

This edition of the Road Warriors will be led by Robert Bolick, and later in the season—and barring any hiccups in his recovery—Kevin Alas. The club has also tapped former Memphis Grizzlies swingman Myke Henry for the upcoming Governors’ Cup.

Uichico knows he has his work cut out for himself. But he is up for the challenge with his first steps anchored in the picks they’ve made during the Rookie Draft held last week.

“We’ve got draft picks, and we’ll soon see whether they’re able to fit right away. The first-round pick (Jonnel Policarpio) won’t be much of a problem. But the lower picks, that’s the question,” he said.

Aside from Policarpio, who was selected 6th overall, NLEX also drafted Filipino-Canadian big man Brandon Ramirez, guards Xyrus Torres and Denzel Wong, and forward Adrian Partosa during the annual selection. INQ