MANILA, Philippines – Even though Jong Uichico has coached for a long time and has won nine titles, he still can’t help but feel nervous when leading NLEX against Blackwater on Thursday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In addition to being the Road Warriors’ opening game of the Group B season, this is also Uichico’s first head coaching gig in the league since 2016, when he was chosen by management to take Frankie Lim’s position in early June.

Long noting that the team had not been in this position for a long, Jong Uichico underlined the importance of thoroughly evaluating the situation. In order to assess the overall environment, including their own performance, the dynamics inside the PBA, and their competitors, he urged that the squad take their time. Uichico thought that in order to truly grasp the team’s current situation and how to overcome the obstacles that lay ahead, a period of adjustment was required. This strategy is a reflection of a strategic mindset that emphasizes observation and gradual adjustment to the changing situation.

In fact, the 62-year-old began returning to the PBA during the previous season after being named as one of Lim’s deputies. When Lim was hurt in an off-court incident during the Philippine Cup, Uichico even called the shots for one game, which they won.

In addition, Uichico created the three tune-up games that NLEX has played since formally assuming control and made all of the decisions.

A certain amount of anxiety is unavoidable, according to Jong Uichico, particularly when adjusting to a new team setting. Even for an experienced coach like himself, there is an adjustment period when joining a new squad, he said, despite his continuous involvement in the sport. During this time, he must adjust to the new dynamics, get to know the players, and put the team’s strategies into action.

Uichico stressed that while practice games help with this adjustment process to some extent, real games are where real learning and adaptation take place. The main difficulty is in keeping up the gains made in each game, progressively improving the team’s performance with every encounter. He expressed optimism that the group would gradually get better with time and experience, becoming more unified and potent on the court.

Uichico’s strategy demonstrates his comprehension of the challenges associated with forming a new team. He understands that while the team navigates its growing pains, development will be gradual and patience will be needed. His emphasis on incremental development and adaptability highlights a long-term, strategic approach that aims for steady progress rather than quick fixes. With a solid foundation in place, this deliberate approach should ensure that the squad gets more competitive as the season goes on.

The Blackwater Bossing are keen to get back on track following their dismal Tuesday night loss to Rain or Shine, 97-110. The group wants to get back on track and fix the problems that hindered their performance in that match. One major area of concern is the performance of their import, Ricky Ledo, who had a poor PBA debut, scoring just 12 points on just 4 of 23 shots from the field. Ledo’s lackluster performance made it clear that he needs to swiftly adapt to the level of competition in the league and establish his rhythm in order to improve his contribution to the squad.

Furthermore, leading the club in scoring with eighteen points, Sedrick Barefield—the second overall selection in the most recent Rookie Draft—showed promise. His effectiveness was far from optimal, though, as he only converted eight of his twenty field goals and made four mistakes. Although Barefield has a clear ability to score goals, his decision-making and shot selection might still use some work. If the Bossing want to improve and become more competitive in the next games, Ledo and Barefield will both need to step up their performances.