Months after the infamous fracas that hounded San Miguel Beermen’s quest for a grand slam, a remorseful Ronald Tubid finally broke his silence, Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Tubid sent out his deepest apologies for his participation in the brawl that transpired during SMB’s practice at the Upper Deck last November, which also included the likes of Arwind Santos, Dez Wells, and Kelly Nabong.
“Alam ko naman na mali ako, kahit sino naman sabihin eh. Instead na umawat ako, dumagdag pa ako,” expressed Tubid during Tiebreaker Vodcasts’ The Crossover, presented by SMART.
“Hindi ko gustong makita ‘yung kasama ko, ka-team ko, kumpare ko na dehado saka… Ganon talaga, ‘yung penalty is penalty kaya nga ngayon lang ako — sinabi ng wife ko ‘ang tagal mo na ngayon ka pa na… Kumbaga isang mali mo, dagok sa career mo’.”
The melee started when Santos knocked down Wells off a hard screen, sending the latter to the floor. Wells then immediately stood up and confronted Santos, while Tubid came to Santos’ defense and punched the import.
SMB sent Wells packing, while Nabong was traded to Northport after the incident. Tubid, on the other hand, was left unsigned by the team.
But still, the 16-year PBA veteran respects the team’s decision. And he remains grateful to the organization that became his home for almost 10 years, having played five years for Brgy. Ginebra and the other five with SMB.
“Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa San Miguel, especially kay boss RSA [Ramon Ang] for all those years sa talo at championships. Malaking bagay sa akin ‘yun. Nire-respect ko ‘yung decision nila,” Tubid expressed.
“Sa UE pa lang kasama ko na sila Boss Al [Chua], Boss Robert [Non]. Sa kanya pa nga ako nakiusap na baka may bakante sa San Miguel Corporation, so alam ko naman mababait ‘yung mga taong ‘yun. Grateful ako and lucky na nakatrabaho ko sila, naging boss ko sila.”
Though it may be a hard pill to swallow for the 2008 PBA Finals co-MVP, he admitted that it was his fault, as he let his emotions get the best of him.
Up until this day, Tubid regrets everything that transpired that day.
“Before the lockdown, I’m supposed to go doon sa mga boss namin sa San Miguel to apologize and magpapasalamat sa years na naano sa career ko sa PBA. Because of them, naging si Ronald Tubid ako.
“I sincerely apologize talaga sa nangyari kasi masakit man sa loob ko, hindi ko gustong makita ‘yung kasama ko, ka-team ko, kumpare ko na dehado,” Tubid said.
With his career hanging in limbo, the two-time PBA Mr. Quality Minutes awardee plans to set things straight with the SMB brass as he hopes to have another chance at a write a fitting farewell for his career.
“I think I’m gonna set an appointment sa mga secretary ng mga boss doon just to say hi and apologize, magkwentu-kwentuhan. Pero ayoko naman mag-end up ‘yung career ko na ganon, dahil sa suspension na ganon. Nawalan ng team pero alam ko naman ‘yung mga boss ko sa San Miguel, mababait ‘yun eh.”
But if another opportunity opens its doors for him — say, the MPBL — Tubid will not hesitate to go there.
“I’m not closing my door kasi basketball is part of my life. Kumbaga nasa blood ko na ‘yan eh.”
