Sidney Onwubere couldn’t help but feel all sorts of emotions while he was bidding goodbye to NorthPort, particularly to head coach Pido Jarencio.
The 28-year-old forward on Tuesday got traded to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in exchange for Arth Dela Cruz in a one-for-one deal, marking the end of his short yet meaningful stint with the Batang Pier.
“I was messaging him, and nalulungkot ako typing that message na, ‘yun nga, nagba-bye na ‘ko sa kanya,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
One can’t really put the EAC product at fault for feeling that way. Yes, he began to emerge during his time with Rain or Shine under a familiar mentor in Caloy Garcia, but it was really with NorthPort where he found his niche.
The Fil-Nigerian arrived at the ball club via trade prior to the 46th season and wasted no time proving his worth. In the 2021 Philippine Cup, he averaged 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in nearly 28 minutes in 13 games.
He started in all but one of their outings in a campaign where they reached the quarterfinals, where they bowed to San Miguel Beer via sweep.
Photo by PBA Images
“NorthPort and Coach Pido gave me the opportunity to play and showcase kung ano ‘yung kaya kong gawin,” said Onwubere.
“I’m grateful for NorthPort, very grateful for Coach Pido for giving me that opportunity.”
Thus, the heaviness on his part to leave the ball club. But he found solace in the words of Jarencio, himself a former player.
“But Coach Pido told me that magkikita’t magkikita kami, like, basketball is a small world. So, I shouldn’t be sad,” Onwubere said. “And he said he’s happy for me na napunta ako sa Ginebra kasi that’s a good team.”
The eighth overall pick by Phoenix in the 2017 Rookie Draft now has his sights set on this new chapter of his budding career. A day after the trade, Onwubere immediately attended the Gin Kings’ practice in Pasig.
“Parang kinakabahan ako na masaya. ‘Yung fan base nila, sobrang laki, Most of their players, hindi ko masyadong close pa, So, I’ll get to know them muna siguro and then how they do it in Ginebra,” he said.
Head coach Tim Cone had previously said he’s looking forward to bringing more out of his game in the Barangay. Onwubere aims for the same, too.
Photo by PBA Images
“This one naman, bagong pagkakataon ulit. Hopefully, I could still do a better job this time with Ginebra,” he said.
The Governors’ Cup is planned to open on November 28 and Onwubere wishes to see crowds back in the stands, for he wants to experience how it’s like being cheered on by the fans of the league’s most popular team.
“Yea. Hopefully. Para ma-experience ko yung nasa side nila ako.”
