Uichico to join Meralco Bolts as consultant

Uichico to join Meralco Bolts as consultant
Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV · Tuesday, January 17, 2012 · 4:58 pm


PBA/Nuki Sabio

Apart from his role as part of the staff of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program, Jong Uichico will also be tapped as a consultant for the Meralco Bolts, according to multiple sources.

The news comes less than a week after Uichico left the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, where he served as an assistant coach to Siot Tanquingcen after he was demoted prior to the start of the season. The multi-titled coach’s departure signalled the end of his two-decade tenure at the San Miguel Corporation.

Both the SMART-Gilas and Meralco teams are bankrolled by Manuel V. Pangilinan. InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the news portal of TV5, which is chaired by Pangilinan.

According to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Uichico’s deal is not exclusive to SMART-Gilas, and instead encompasses the whole MVP group. Barrios added that Uichico is in talks with Ramon Segismundo, Meralco’s representative to the PBA’s Board of Governors, about his role in the organization.

Meralco team manager Virgil Villavicencio said team management is discussing Uichico’s new role with the Bolts, where he is expected to become a key part of their coaching staff headed by Ryan Gregorio.

“We haven’t finalized anything yet,” said Villavicencio in a telephone interview. “But I don’t see any problem with him joining us, although it doesn’t necessarily mean that if he becomes assistant coach or consultant of the team, he will sit on the bench. Alton Lister, the NBA veteran and a part of our coaching staff, is only seated behind the bench.”

Another source privy to the negotiations said that management have agreed in principle for Uichico to join the team.

“He will start next week,” wrote the source in a text message.

Meanwhile, SMART-Gilas operations chief Butch Antonio said Uichico’s formal role with the national team is still up for discussion.

“We have not formally met yet, kaya wala pa siyang designation,” wrote Antonio in a text message.

Barrios said Uichico, who has won eight titles in the PBA and led the Philippines to a fourth-place finish in the 2002 Asian Games, will be assigned to many functions within the group’s basketball operations.

“I foresee his talent and skills will be maximized by the MVP group to be used not only in Meralco and SMART-Gilas, but also others like the SBP,” said Barrios.

Source: Interaksyon.com