The Saint has a lot of interesting stories.
After a starring role for the UE Red Warriors in the UAAP, Ronald Tubid found himself struggling to find consistent minutes in his first years in the PBA with the Shell Turbo Chargers and the Air21 Express.
In 2006, he was traded to the Barangay Ginebra Kings in a three-team deal that also involved the Barako Bull Energy and the B-Meg Llamados and players Kerby Raymundo, Dylan Ababou, JC Intal, and Reil Cervantes.
That became a turning point for Tubid. He found his niche as a defensive stopper and energy guy under the tutelage of coach Jong Uichico. He even became co-Finals MVP with Eric Menk in the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference.
Tubid maintained his key role with the Kings in the ensuing campaigns. But according to him, after their disposal of guest team Smart Gilas in the semifinals of the 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup, he suddenly was out of the rotation.
In the latest vlog of Mac Cardona, The Saint admitted that he held a rancor in his heart for Uichico at that time. Barangay Ginebra lost to Cardona and the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in six games in the finals.
"I love Coach Jong pero na-down ako nung—kasi ang ganda ng laro ko nung semifinals, best player yata ako for two games nung best-of-three na 'yun. Kaso hindi na ko ginamit ni Coach Jong nung finals. Nagtampo ako," said Tubid. "Pero I love Coach Jong, sa kanya lumabas laro ko e."
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The gung-ho guard got so frustrated, he used a, um, dogged approach.
"Sa galit ko nga kay Coach Jong—sorry, Coach Jong ah—sa tampo ko, hindi (pala) galit, bumili ako ng aso. 'Yung show-type na bully. Ayun, I named it after Coach Jong," revealed Tubid with a laugh. "Coach Jong, I love you."
Tubid, meanwhile, also told Captain Hook that he was one of the three toughest players he ever guarded in his PBA career. The other two? Former MVPs Willie Miller and Mark Caguioa.
"Umiinom ako, nagpupuyat ako, pero kapag kayo (Talk 'N Text) kalaban (kinabukasan), one bottle lang ako tapos tulog na. Kailangan (ma-conserve) 'yung energy ko," said Tubid.
Tubid, who's now the team manager of the Terrafirma Dyip, won nine championships in the PBA, including two with Jong. The coach, not the dog.