MACAU – The limited playing time notwithstanding, veteran Ronald Tubid is grateful for the reception given him by the partisan crowd that showed up for San Miguel Beer’s final group stage match in the East Asia League Terrific 12 late Thursday night.
Despite the presence of star big man June Mar Fajardo behind the San Miguel bench and the amazing plays provided by import Dezmine Wells and former scoring champion Terrence Romeo on the court against the Ryukyu Golden Kings, it was Tubid’s name which Filipino fans inside the jampacked Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion kept on chanting.
With the outcome of the game already beyond doubt, coach Leo Austria finally obliged and sent Tubid in during the final 68 seconds of the contest which the Beermen won, 101-92, to advance to the semifinals of the $300,000 event.
Tubid was surprised by the rock star treatment accorded him.
“Siguro ka-batch ko yung mga tao kaya kilala pa nila ako,” kidded the 16-year pro. “Nakakatuwa kasi kahit paano kilala pa rin kami. At least may asim pa.”
The popularity of Tubid, picked in the second round of the 2003 draft, had some members of the international media eventually asking about him from San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
“No. 71, he’s one of our veterans and is very popular (in the PBA) because he once belonged to Ginebra, the most popular team in the PBA, and he played there for quite a long time. He’s really good,” said Austria.
The San Miguel coach added Tubid was among his star players when he first coached in the PBA back home in 2004.
Import Dezmine Wells, then butted in.
“And he’s (Tubid) 41 years old, too. That’s amazing. The things that you can do at 41, I admire that,” he said, drawing a loud laugh from his Filipino audience.
Reminded that Tubid is just 38 years old, Wells replied, ’41 sounds better.’
The wingman out of University of the East later corrected his age and said, “37 lang. Niloloko lang ako nun.”
Whatever his age may be, Tubid said he’s more than happy just being able to bring a smile to the faces of Filipinos working away from home.
“At least makita lang namin na masaya yung kapwa kababayan natin, masaya na kami. Yun naman ang pinunta namin dito, for them,” he said.
“Thankful na give a chance na makita sa labas na maglaro for the Filipino people. Yun naman ang habol namin, mapasaya yung mga Pinoy kasi malayo nga sa atin.”
Tubid said the last time he went abroad to play basketball was during a PBA game in Dubai a long time ago.
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