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| Virgil Villavicencio has been formally named the new NLEX team manager. NLEX Road Warriors |
BONTOC--NLEX showed that it is now more serious about contending for a PBA title after tapping Virgil Villavicencio to be the team's new manager ahead of the upcoming season beginning in August.
The Road Warriors made the announcement on Saturday right after a contract signing held at the NLEX office along the Balintawak Toll Plaza in Caloocan.
The former La Salle player and head coach was formerly the team manager of TNT, providing significant contributions to the Tropang Giga's six championships from 2009-2015.
Villavicencio was also a part of coach Joel Banal's coaching staff when TNT won its first official PBA pennant in 2003.
Villavicencio will replace Larry Fonacier as NLEX's team manager.
"Coach Virgil’s acumen both in running a team and his good relationship with the media will benefit our team moving forward. His management experience and valuable insights will further strengthen the way we run the team," said NLEX president Luigi Bautista.
“His wealth of experience both on and off the court will be of great help to the NLEX Road Warriors. We are also thankful to former team manager Larry Fonacier for his services to the team,” added NLEX team governor Ronald Dulatre.
The Road Warriors also formalized the appointment of Jong Uichico as their head coach, and he signed his contract on Saturday.
With the coaching staff still intact from the time Frankie Lim was the head coach, Uichico looks to continue what Lim started.
“I plan to build on what Coach Frankie has instilled as a foundation,” Uichico stated.
“Then we will go from there.”
With Uichico and Villavicencio now leading the way, Bautista is optimistic that NLEX could at least make a deep run to the playoffs again.
"We are confident that Coach Jong’s and Coach Virgil’s leadership will bring a new level of professionalism and success to the NLEX Road Warriors,” Bautista added.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
