Road Warriors hand Uichico win No. 1

(Edited, 5:32 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines —  NLEX hit the ground running to usher in the Jong Uichico era.

With Robert Bolick and import Myke Henry as chief navigators, the Road Warriors sideswiped Blackwater, 104-87, for a winning start in Group B of the PBA Governors’ Cup last night.

Bolick flirted with a triple-double with his 24-point, nine-rebound, 11-assist effort as he joined forces with Henry who debuted with 31 markers spiked by four triples and one four-ball plus 10 boards in gifting the comebacking Uichico with a W.

“Gusto naming bigyan si coach Jong ng first win niya, matagal-tagal na rin,” said Bolick of Uichico, who returned to head coaching in the PBA this season after his last stint with TNT in 2016.

“Sana not only one,” the nine-time champion mentor quickly replied.

Uichico took over Frankie Lim in the pre-season after serving as the latter’s assistant last conference.

“Parang nakahinga na. First game, first win. Medyo napapaisip ka kung tama ginagawa mo ‘nung pre-season. Iba ‘yung assistant ka sa Gilas, assistant sa NLEX; pag andun ka na (head coach), ibang usapan na kasi ikaw na ang nagtitimon,” he said.

The Road Warriors shifted to high gear in the middle quarters to create separation from the Bossing (0-2).

Henry, Bolick and Rob Herndon conspired in a 28-15 exchange in the second that propelled NLEX to a 51-37 margin. The Road Warriors then opened the third with three straight treys followed by Henry’s And-1 play to stretch the lead further, 63-39.

Uichico’s charges went on to lead by as many as 27 at 89-62, but gave Blackwater hope by easing a bit in the fourth. Fortunately, Henry, Herndon, Bolick and Ritchie Rodger reawakened and restored order in the stretch.

Later, TNT roared to top spot in Group A after going 2-0 with a dominant 93-73 dispatching of Meralco (1-1).

The Tropang Giga used a 31-16 salvo in the third to seize control en route to a smashing followup to their opening 101-95 verdict over NorthPort.