Si Uichico ang napupusuan ni Baldwin

MANILA, Philippines — Mas nanaisin ni Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) program director Tab Baldwin na muling ma-ging head coach ng Gilas Pilipinas si veteran mentor Jong Uichico sa mga susunod na international tournaments.

Ayon kay Baldwin, magaan na katrabaho si Uichico na nakita nito sa kanilang maikling pagsasama sa bubble ng Gilas Pilipinas sa Calamba, Laguna at sa mismong FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers sa Manama, Bahrain.

“Jong is a good friend, he’s a very very good coach, and probably one of the easiest guys that you’d ever want to work with. Fortunately, the games became lopsided,” wika ni Baldwin sa Coaches Unfiltered program na suportado ng Smart Sports.

Mataas ang respeto nito kay Uichico na madalas na rin nitong nakakasalamuha sa PBA.

Malaki rin ang tiwala ni Baldwin sa coaching abilities ni Uichico na dalawang beses na ring pinangalanang Coach of the Year sa PBA.

“I was talking to Coach Mark (Dickel) when I was over in Bahrain, and he doesn’t know Coach Jong very well. They met and they had a few conversations, but Coach Mark said to me, ‘Coach Jong must be the most chill coach I’ve ever seen on the sidelines in my life,” kuwento pa ni Baldwin.

Hanga si Baldwin sa relaks na relaks na aura ni Uichico sa laban na nagreresulta sa positibong mindset ng mga players sa court.

“Coach Jong has so much expe-rience and he has a relaxed demeanor. He’s very easy for the players to work with,” anang American-Kiwi mentor.

Dahil sa magandang coaching style ni Uichico, mas mabilis nakukuha ng Gilas cadets ang lahat ng instructions na ibinibigay nito.

Resulta nito ang dalawang impresibong panalo ng Gilas Pilipinas kontra Thailand sa Bahrain.

“When I was named head coach, siyempre excited kaagad ako. Unang-una, excited ako nakakapagturo ulit ako ng player kasi for the past few years, nakapagturo ako ng coaches,” bahagi ni Uichico.