Ronald Tubid successfully returned to the hardwood as Terrafirma nipped Barangay Ginebra, 18-16, in Leg 4 of the PBA 3X3 Second Conference, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Filling in for the injured Jebb Bulawan, the 40-year-old guard finished with three points, two rebounds, and a block to help the Dyip start the day right and take early leadership of Pool C at 1-0.
Tubid last played competitively two years ago with San Miguel. He wasn’t renewed upon the end of his deal last January 2020, and would see himself join Terrafirma later on, first as an assistant coach then becoming team manager.
And having someone as decorated as the nine-time champion battling with them surely inspired the young guns. Dhon Reverente led all scorers with seven points, while Jeremiah Taladua scored six. TH Tumalip added two.
Dennice Villamor had five points to lead the Gin Kings, who welcomed Encho Serrano and Jayson David back after missing the last leg to recuperate from injuries. The two combined for seven markers. Mark Dyke added three.
Meanwhile, Master Sardines opened Day 1 with a resounding 21-10 conquest of NorthPort in a battle of Pool A squads, carrying over the momentum it got from its breakthrough win of the season last Sunday over Platinum.
Levi Hernandez led the Fishing Champs with 10 points. Big man Mon Mabayo added seven in the victory.
Leg 2 champs San Miguel have seized early leadership of Pool A with a 2-0 card, first by taking down CAVITEX through a 21-16 result before dealing the Batang Pier another loss, 21-13.
Leading the way for the Beermen is Jeff Manday, scoring a total of 17 points in both wins as the squad got rejuvenated with the return of Ken Bono from a foot injury that kept him out of Leg 3.
Pioneer Pro Tibay is atop Pool B after beating Sista, 21-13. Gian Abrigo set the pace for the guest team with seven.
The Scores:
First game
Master Sardines 21 – Hernandez 10, Mabayo 7, Tabi 2, Mahari 2.
NorthPort 10 – Webb 4, Calisaan 4, Olayon 2, Brill 0.
Second game
SMB 21 – Manday 7, Vigil 7, Bono 5, Mangahas 2.
CAVITEX 16 – Fajardo 7, Rivero 6, Reyes 2, Soberano 1.
Third game
Pioneer Pro Tibay 21 – Abrigo 7, Rivera 6, Rono 5, De Chavez 3.
Sista 13 – Mocon 6, Manlangit 4, Baltazar 2, De Vera 1.
Fourth game
Terrafirma 18 – Reverente 7, Taladua 6, Tubid 3, Tumalip 2.
Ginebra 16 – Villamor 5, Serrano 4, Dyke 4, David 3.
Fifth game
SMB 21 – Manday 10, Bono 7, Vigil 2, Mangahas 2.
NorthPort 13 – Calisaan 8, Olayon 2, Webb 2, Brill 1.
