Ronald Tubid is finally back in the PBA – but in a different capacity.
The 39-year-old is now part of Terrafirma’s coaching staff, as head coach Johnedel Carel himself confirmed to Tiebreaker Times.
“Yes po, part na siya ng coaching staff,” the cager-turned-mentor wrote in a short text message Tuesday afternoon.
Tubid has returned to the franchise where he once played after becoming part of a package traded to the Dyip by San Miguel for the 2017 no. 1 pick.
That deal saw him, JayR Reyes, Rashawn McCarthy, and a 2019 pick shipped for the top selection that turned out to be Christian Standhardinger.
The two-time Mr. Quality Minutes played there for a season, before being sent back to the Beermen for Keith Agovida late in 2018.
He then went on to win the last two of his nine PBA titles when SMB conquered both the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup in 2019.
But just as when things were looking nice, Tubid found himself out of the league following a brawl in a Beermen practice.
Also involved were Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong, and import Dez Wells, leading to their suspension and the eventual removal of Wells.
Worse, the incident spoiled the Beermen’s second attempt at a rare Grand Slam, something that the team has been vocal about achieving.
Nabong was then traded to NorthPort for Russel Escoto, while Tubid was not offered an extension anymore as his contract expired last January 2020.
The cager from Iloilo then apologized to the SMB brass with the hope of returning and having a graceful exit, but to no avail.
But now, Tubid is set to open a new chapter of his career helping Cardel and Co. develop a young team in Terrafirma.
A seven-time All-Star and 2008 Fiesta Conference co-Finals MVP, he can help to the growth of young star CJ Perez and Roosevelt Adams, among others.
