NLEX taps Uichico as new head coach

JONG Uichico is making a PBA coaching comeback after being named new head coach of NLEX on Friday.

The 61-year-old Uichico will succeed Frankie Lim, who has stepped down from the post he held since September 2022 when he took over the spot vacated by Yeng Guiao.

Under Uichico, NLEX hopes to take the offseason break as an opportunity for the veteran PBA coach to integrate his system within a core of talent led by high-scoring guard Robert Bolick.

"We are excited to start a new chapter with Jong Uichico as the new head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors!" the team posted in its official social media account on Friday.

The Road Warriors also took the time to thank the 64-year-old Lim for his contributions to the franchise.

"Today, coach Frankie Lim will be stepping down as our head coach. We deeply appreciate his hard work, dedication, and his positive contributions to the team over the past two years," the NLEX team wrote in its statement.

The Road Warriors were a mid-table team during Lim's time as the franchise registered a 22-27 win-loss record in four conferences.

NLEX had two quarterfinal stints during his tenure but the team placed no higher than sixth place under Lim.

NLEX zoomed to a 4-1 start in the Philippine Cup, but limped to a 2-4 record in its final six games.

Though the Road Warriors managed to reach the quarterfinals, the team bombed out quickly from the playoffs after bowing to the Meralco Bolts in a two-game series sweep.

With Uichico, NLEX hopes to benefit from his vast coaching experience that saw him win nine league titles in a stint with San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra and TNT.

Uichico is best remembered for leading the San Miguel Beermen to six league championships during his tenure from 1999 to 2006.

Uichico moved over to Barangay Ginebra from there, guiding the league's most popular squad to two championships in the 2007 Philippine Cup and 2008 Fiesta Conference.

His last PBA title as head coach happened in 2015 after leading TNT to the Commissioner's Cup crown.

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