Tubid, an energetic guard from University of the East, came ablaze in the homestretch as Welcoat Paints turned back Blu All Purpose, 63-60, yesterday in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.
One of the 67 applicants in the PBA Draft Day set Jan. 12, Tubid made a good account of himself as he erupted for 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to seal the Paint Masters’ ninth win in 10 games.
"Credit has to go to (Ronald) Tubid, siya lang ang hindi bumigay sa game na ito," said Welcoat coach Leo Austria.
Marlon Legaspi outshone top rookie prospects Rommel Adducul and Eddie Laure with 25 markers, 10 of which coming in the final period, and nine rebounds but the Detergent Kings had no answer to Tubid.
Welcoat’s triumph gave Dazz Dishwashing Liquid (6-4) a chance to clinch second place and a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals if it could beat the former in an out-of-town game in Lucena City, Quezon on Saturday.
The Detergent Kings are currently at second spot with a 7-4 win-loss slate and will fall down to third in case of a tie with the Grease Busters due to a lower quotient.
With the tandem of Legaspi, a perennial member of the First Mythical Team and Arnold Calo, last year’s Most Improved Player, leading the charge, Blu controlled the pace in the better part of the game.
But Tubid sizzled in the fourth as he came out with clutch baskets one after another to break the backs of their rivals, who could not score in the final 1.54 minutes.
Blu coach Leo Isaac complained of non-calls in the crucial stretch of the match but failed to elaborate.
Earlier, Cheeseball-Shark clinched its third win in 11 outings with a 85-65 pummeling of John-O. John-O suffered its seventh defeat against four wins.