Among members of the Gilas Pilipinas national team, there’s no one who has represented the country more times than Jong Uichico.
As an amateur player, Uichico was part of the Philippine youth team in 1982 and Northern Consolidated Cement-sponsored national team during that decade.
When he hung up his sneakers to start a coaching career, he still had plenty of opportunity to be part of the national team.
He was an assistant coach to Norman Black in the 1994 Asian Games and to Chot Reyes and Yeng Guiao in the 2007 and 2009 editions of the FIBA Asia Championship.
He also took over coaching reins of the national team to the 2002 Asian Games after his mentor, Ron Jacobs, suffered a stroke.
“I always like joining the national team. It’s good for my knowledge and it’s best representing the Philippines all the time,” Uichico told InterAKTV.
As a part of the national coaching staff, Uichico has had his fair share of heartaches. But through it all, he’s had no regrets.
“I like doing it. I’m proud to be a Filipino. Their failures, their successes,” said Uichico, who helped Gilas Pilipinas win the silver medal in this year’s FIBA Asia Championship. That finish gave the Philippines a return ticket to the world stage.
“Of course, this is a special feeling — qualifying to the World Cup — so this is history. We made Filipino people proud and happy while also entertaining them. It’s nice to play and coach and be in front of a lot of people who supported and prayed.”
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/for-perennial-philippine-national-team-member-jong-uichico-serving-the-country-is-the-best
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