TUBID ADDS MORE ZING TO ENERGY

RONALD Tubid is one player coach Junel Baculi could count on to revitalize Barako Bull.

Tubid showed that in coming up with a sterling game on both ends of the floor to help the Energy
score a convincing win last Sunday and advance to the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals.

The Accel/PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period April 2 to 8 was a sight to behold in
both offense and defense, playing a major role in Barako's 2-1 win over Alaska in their
best-of-three quarterfinals duel.

In the series-clinching 106-85 win, Tubid scored 20 points and also had five rebounds, four assists
and a steal. Along the way he helped defend the likes of LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio, limiting the
two to numbers way below their respective averages.

Foremost among those lauding Tubid's all-around efforts is Baculi. 

"Since his amateur days pa I have followed Ronald's career na and even then I knew na dahil sa
kanyang puso and passion for the game he will really blossom," said Baculi of Tubid, who was
acquired from Barangay Ginebra in a pre-conference trade that also involved B-Meg.

"I also knew na it was simply a matter of him being in the right team and he will eventually become
a major factor. He is showing that now," added Baculi.

Counting his 15 points and six boards in a 92-99 loss in Game 2, Tubid averaged 17.5 points,
anchored on an astounding 8-for-15 three-point shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals
against a lone turnover.

Tubid also scored a gamehigh 24 points in a 103-90 win in the series opener the Sunday before, but
for Baculi, the 6-foot-1 guard's most recent figures are just gravy to what he really expects from
the Iloilo native.

"He can, and should, do it on both ends of the court... because of his energy and intensity nga,"
said the tactician. 

It is the same kind of game Baculi expects from Tubid in the best-of-five semifinals duel with
defending champion Talk 'N Text that starts Tuesday.

"I give my players more leeway and liberty to create for themselves and their teammates and Tubid
sure can do that," said Baculi.

In earning his first citation from the scribes this season, Tubid beat out the likes of B-Meg's Marc
Pingris (13.5 points, 16.5 rebounds) and PJ Simon (15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds), who were instrumental
in the Llamados' back-to-back wins over Meralco in the other quarterfinals duel.