NLEX made some big moves over the weekend.
The Road Warriors, led by team governor Ronald Dulatre, brought decorated head coach Jong Uichico in as lead assistant while signing Robert Bolick to a three-year deal.
“There’s so much value in having a seasoned coach like Jong Uichico joining the Road Warriors,” said Dulatre about Uichico.
“He’s a two-time PBA Coach of the Year and is one of the finest coaches the country has ever produced.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Robert Bolick to the NLEX Road Warriors family. His skill, dedication, and winning mentality make him an invaluable addition to our roster. We believe in his ability to lead our team to success,” he added about Bolick.
Uichico, who is tied with Chot Reyes and Leo Austria as the third-winningest coach in PBA history, will bring with him incomparable experience as he will aid head coach Frankie Lim and lead a strong cast of assistant coaches to strengthen NLEX’s bid to win its first-ever franchise title.
The 61-year-old tactician entered the PBA back in 1993 as an assistant coach with the San Miguel Beermen. He would lead that team to six championships before winning two more as the lead tactician of Ginebra.
He had a consultant stint with Meralco and was briefly an assistant coach in TNT before he was promoted to head coach and helped the franchise win the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Uichico holds the position as the head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Coaches’ Academy and has been a long-time coach in the Gilas Pilipinas program. He was on the bench when the team recaptured the SEA Games and Asian Games gold medals in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Hangzhou, China.
“I’m thankful to the NLEX organization for trusting me with this role,” said Uichico.
“I’m looking forward to working with Coach Frankie, the rest of the coaching staff, and the players and I’m excited to once again be a part of the PBA as a coach.”
Meanwhile, Bolick expressed his gratitude to the NLEX Road Warriors, saying, “To my new team, my new family, NLEX Road Warriors, thank you very much for the opportunity and for welcoming me here in my new home. I am so excited to start this new chapter of my career. Thank you very much for the trust; I will not let you down.
“I will do everything and give my very best to contribute to the future championship of this team. To Boss MVP, Boss Ronald Tugade Dulatre, and NLEX management, thank you for making this happen. Let’s do it!”
