MANILA – In what could be a signal for him to retire from professional basketball after 16 years of playing in the PBA, Ilonggo basketball player Ronald Tubid has accepted the offer to become part of TerraFirma Dyip coaching staff.
The team head coach Johnedel Cardel personally confirmed on Tuesday night the entry of the Iloilo City-native Tubid as one of his assistant coaches.
“Yes, he is already part of my coaching staff,” Cardel said in an interview with Tiebreaker Times. “I am looking forward to work with him.”
The move was like a homecoming of sorts for the former University of the East Red Warriors guard Tubid after playing for the Dyip (then known as Columbian Dyip) during the 2017-2018 season.
Tubid moved to the Columbian franchise in 2017 as part of a blockbuster trade deal between San Miguel Beermen. He averaged 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 30 games in his lone season with the Columbian franchise before being traded back to the Beermen.
The 39-year-old Ilongo opted to venture into the coaching role after not landing a contract with any team during the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup. He was unceremoniously released by the Beermen for his involvement in a practice brawl.
While a free agent in the PBA, he signed with CTG in JB Amateur Basketball League Elite Division II last year but the league was canceled due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The 6-foot-1 Tubid is a nine-time PBA champion, with most of his titles coming during his stint with the Beermen and with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
Apart from Dyip, Beermen, and the Kings, Tubid has also suited up for the Shell Turbo Chargers, which drafted him 16th overall during the 2003 PBA Rookie Draft, Air 21 Express, and Barako Bull Energy Cola.
During his career in the PBA, Tubid was once named as co-Finals MVP, became part of the PBA All-Defensive Team once, named as PBA Mr. Quality Minutes twice, and has played in the PBA All-Star Games nine times. /PN
