Coach Jong glad of the TCC turnout as he hopes for women's basketball future

SBP Coaches' Academy head Jong Uichico was pleased with the outcome of the Tournament Coaches' Course for Women's Basketball, which was held for six weeks from June and July.

"In fact, there were other coaches na interested to join the TCC but we could not accommodate them," he said, noting that it was catered to selected coaches that was personalized to their needs.

But not everyone in the UAAP was invited in this course, as Uichico added that it was a diverse field of mentors that came across the country and not just limited to the nation's capital.

"We want a diverse field," said Uichico, who had also seen the potential of the coaches that came from the rest of the country. "The aim of the SBP is not just for the Manila-based coaches, but also to the provinces who needs it more."

As he was a newcomer of the women's game, it was a new learning experience for the multi-titled coach who won with three different teams in the PBA and as a result, saw the need to close the gap in order for the country to be a true basketball nation.

"What men do, women can do too. The skill level is the same."

Furthermore, the success of the TCC made them inspired and learn more about the plight of the distaff side of the game, in which it hopes to go beyond the morning tip-offs and continue the momentum made by the Gilas Women after its historic 2019, where they swept their way with their twin golden performances in the SEA Games.

"We do not want to put a gender into basketball," he added. "I wanted to hit the specific target which is women's basketball coaches."