Ilonggo guard Ronald Tubid still regrets participating in a brawl during a San Miguel Beermen practice last November as it essentially led him to become a free agent in the stalled 2020 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
The Iloilo City-native was one of the cagers who were suspended by the Beermen management back then. The others were Arwind Santos and Kelly Nabong while import Dez Wells was sent home. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa kumpanya ng San Miguel, especially kay Boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang). Malaking bagay ‘yun. Nire–respect ko ‘yung desisyon nila. Alam kong mali ako,” Tubid said during the CPT Crossover Podcast of Bacolodnon sports writer Cedelf Tupas on Tuesday.
“Before lockdown, I was supposed to go upstairs sa mga boss ko sa San Miguel just to apologize at magpasalamat sa years (ko) sa San Miguel. Because of them, naging si Ronald Tubid ako. Magpapasalamat ako. I’ll sincerely apologize talaga sa nangyari,” he added.
The 38-year-old admitted losing his cool when he stepped in to protect Santos. Wells confronted Santos after the former was knocked down by the latter on the floor due to a hard pick while practicing at the Upper Deck gym.
Kahit anong sabihin, instead na umawat ako, dumagdag pa ako. Masakit man sa loob ko, pero hindi ko gustong makita ‘yung kaibigan ko, kasama ko, ka-team ko, kumpare ko na dehado,” Tubid said.
“Ganun talaga ang penalty. Penalty is penalty. Sinabi ng wife ko, ‘sa tagal mo na, ngayon ka pa nagkagulo’. ‘Yung isang mali mo, dagok sa career mo,” added the former University of the East Red Warrior.
“Sabi nga ni boss Al (Chua), dapat umawat ako. (Eh) sumama pa ako. Sabi ko, ‘Boss, pasensya na.’ Nadala lang ako ng ugaling Pinoy at Ilonggo na kapag kasama mo, hindi mo pinapabayaan,” he further said.
When the coronavirus disease 2019 situation in the country normalizes, Tubid plans to reach to the San Miguel Corporation to apologize as he hopes to end his professional career the other way around.
“Ayoko naman mag-end ang career ko dahil sa suspension at nawalan ng team. Alam ko naman ‘yung mga boss ng San Miguel. Mababait, sila Boss Al, at boss Robert (Non). Grateful ako na naging bosses ko sila,” said Tubid.
“If ever man, hihingi ako kung pupuwede mag-retire ako ng maayos. Mababait naman mga boss ko,” he added. “I’m not closing my door because basketball is my life.”/PN
