A NEW system, a new coaching staff, and hopefully a new start for Terrafirma.
That’s what newly appointed coach Ronald Tubid hopes to lead as he embarks on a new phase of his basketball career.
Tubid had his first official act as mentor of the revamped Dyip, attending the first day of the PBA Draft Combine on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig to take a look at prospects for the No. 1 pick which the team owns.
The 43-year-old former PBA player has formed a compact coaching staff made up of Jun Villarin, a deputy with the La Salle Greenhills team, and possibly, Jared Jarencio, a former assistant coach at NorthPort and son of coach Pido.
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Tubid likewise stepped down from his previous post as team manager, while former assistant Raymond Gavieres left to join LA Tenorio's staff at Magnolia.
“Excited para ma-testing din yung ability natin to coach,” said Tubid, who takes over from interim coach Raymond Tiongco. “Kaya inako ko rin 'yung challenge.”
Indeed, it’s going to be one hell of a challenge for Tubid resuscitating a Terrafirma side that was all but disbandment and twice came close to being sold during this offseason.
The Dyip endured a 3-30 campaign in Season 49 whjich gave the franchise the rights to the No. 1 overall pick in this Sunday’s Rookie Draft.
Tubid looked at a couple of aspirants on the opening day of the Draft Combine, but would rather keep the team’s choice close to his chest.
Terrafirma shortlist
“We’re still undecided, though we already have a list of players who we might select,” he said.
Aware of Terrafirma’s long history of losing, Tubid hopes to reverse the fortune of the moribund franchise in whatever way he can.
“Hindi naman tayo sasali sa PBA kung ayaw nating manalo,” the eight-time PBA champion said. “We hope to maximize whatever we have and try our best to make the playoffs.”
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