Uichico grateful for second chance

MANILA, Philippines — SBP Coaches Commission head and newly-designated Gilas assistant coach Jong Uichico said yesterday at this point in his basketball career, his only goal is to give back to the sport that has been his consuming passion throughout his life.

Uichico, 57, played on the Philippine team that won the 1982 Asian Youth title at the Araneta Coliseum and was also on the Northern Cement squad that took the Asian Champions Cup crown in Ipoh, Malaysia, in 1984. He took over from his mentor Ron Jacobs as national coach at the 2002 Busan Asian Games and went on to become a multi-titled coach, piloting the Philippines to the gold medal at the 2013 and 2017 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and winning nine championships in the PBA, six with San Miguel Beer, two with Ginebra and one with TNT.      

Last year, Uichico’s coaching career ground to a halt after he was suspended for two games by FIBA for his involvement in the Philippines-Australia brawl in the third window of the FIBA Asia/Oceania World Cup Qualifiers. “I know what I did and I regret it,” said Uichico who was in Chot Reyes’ coaching staff. “I apologized for losing it. As a coach, I had no business joining the fray. But not to justify anything, at that stage, I stood up as a Filipino defending my country. We were down 31, the game was practically over, we were being bullied in our own country. But the past is past. I prayed for a new beginning. Honestly, I thought it was the end of my basketball life and I began to wonder what I would do without basketball. With God’s grace, I was given a second chance. I’m grateful to Sir MVP (SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan) for this opportunity, to SBP for allowing me to head the Coaches Commission.”

Uichico said in his first year at the Commission’s helm, he and his team conducted clinics in 16 regions all over the country. “We went to 25 provinces and this year, we’ve gone to 20 so far,” he said. “We arrive on a Friday, do clinics on a Saturday and Sunday then leave either Sunday evening or Monday morning. It means sacrificing my weekends but it’s my way of giving back and thanking the SBP. We’ve been to Tuguegarao, Surigao, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao. Last weekend, we were in Daet. We’ve received an invitation to visit Basilan. It’s fun and fulfilling. The provincial coaches aren’t full-time so their only free time to attend our clinics is the weekend.”

Uichico said he’s assisted by Mark Solano, Ryan Betia and strength/conditioning coach Martin Alido in the clinics. “Aside from coaching tips, we put an emphasis on strength and conditioning,” he said. “If a province has hardly any equipment, we go old school and use whatever is available on the court. All we want to do is to help, reaching out to coaches and wanna-be coaches. We want to make the clinics accessible to everyone, to share our experiences and impart our knowledge.”

Uichico said early last week, he sent a message to SBP president Al Panlilio asking if he could assist in the preparations for the coming SEA Games in any capacity. Panlilio welcomed the offer and brought it to Gilas head coach Tim Cone’s attention. “Before I knew it, coach Tim announced my appointment,” said Uichico. “I thanked coach Tim for the opportunity right away. It’s my first time to work with coach Tim. I’ve been blessed to have worked with the greatest coaches in Philippine basketball as an assistant – coach Ron, coach Tab (Baldwin), coach Norman (Black), coach Chot (Reyes), coach Yeng (Guiao) but as a scout, not an assistant and now coach Tim. I think the only great coach I’ve never assisted was the late Baby Dalupan. I don’t mind doing work for a head coach, I enjoy it.”

With two SEA Games gold medals under his belt, Uichico is hoping to nail a third this year. He started work with the national team in its first practice at the Meralco gym last Monday. Aside from Uichico, Cone has called in Richard del Rosario, Kirk Collier, Freddie Abuda, Joe De Vance and Jimmy Alapag to join his staff. Olsen Racela is not officially an assistant coach as he’s busy with FEU in the UAAP but will attend practice when his schedule allows. De Vance had surgery on his bunion in the right foot and will be back on the court next month so while recuperating, he’ll be with the coaching staff.

“We only have eight to 10 days of practice,” said Uichico. “Coach Tim wants everyone to be very attentive as he’ll do more teaching than hard practice, getting the players acquainted with his offensive and defensive principles. We’ll do practice every Monday and maybe, two days before our first match in the SEA Games. We’re hoping to do a practice game or a scrimmage but it depends on which team is available. It’s important for us to get up and down the floor.”