RONALD Tubid knows exactly what Rodney White can bring to the floor, having first-hand experience playing alongside the import during their brief stint together with Barako Bull last year.
“Masipag siya saka mabait. Napaka-galang,” were the words Tubid used to describe White, who’ll be bringing his act to Petron this time in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
In the five games the 32-year-old White played for Barako Bull, he posted averages of 29.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in steering the Energy Cola to the playoffs of the mid-season conference.
Too bad, White had to leave for the US prematurely to attend to family matters, leaving Barako Bull with no other option but to look for a replacement.
Now Tubid is hopeful White will be able to complete his unfinished business in the league and win a championship with Petron.
“Umuwi lang siya (last year) dahil nagka-sakit `yung tatay niya. Nanghinayang nga kami dahil di niya natapos. Hoping and praying na matapos niya this time with a championship,” said the energetic Petron defensive ace, who skipped the Boosters’ practice on Monday to have his left foot checked by doctors at St. Luke’s Medical Center.
With White possibly filling the power forward spot, Tubid feels the Boosters have a much more potent inside threat owing to his size, heft, and long NBA experience.
As someone who personally witnessed how White carried an aging Barako Bull squad to the playoffs last season, Tubid believes with a veteran core in Petron, the import could easily blend in and do what he does best.
“If worse comes to worst nga, bigay mo lang sa kanya `yung bola at kaya niya mag-create. Saka if we go big at mag-kuwatro siya, mas mahihirapan ibang teams sa match up,” noted the 31-year-old former UE Red Warrior.
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