Jong Uichico brings a wealth of experience, including nine PBA championships, to the table.
Jong Uichico in, Frankie Lim out.
NLEX announced Friday, June 7, that Uichico is replacing Lim as head coach beginning PBA Season 49.
“We are excited to start a new chapter with Jong Uichico as the new head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors!” the team said in a Facebook post.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Jong Uichico reveals why he called shots for NLEX in win over Blackwater]
Uichico is seen as someone who could lead the Road Warriors to deeper playoff runs, having won nine titles with three different squads in an illustrious coaching career that started with San Miguel.
The two-time Coach of the Year last won a championship with TNT in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup.
He spent the succeeding years as a deputy with Gilas Pilipinas.
“A nine-time PBA champion, Coach Jong will be at the helm as the Road Warriors continue our quest to win our first franchise championship,” NLEX wrote in the same post.
[ALSO READ: IN PHOTOS: Meralco smothers San Miguel to draw first blood in PBA Philippine Cup Finals]
Uichico is taking over the reins from Lim, who managed to lead the Road Warriors to two playoff appearances in two years at the helm.
Last year, Uichico joined Lim’s coaching staff and even called the shots in a win against Blackwater in the ongoing Philippine Cup after Lim injured his finger.