After winning championships on the court, three former PBA stars — Ronald Tubid, Willy Wilson, and LA Tenorio — are taking on new challenges as head coaches in the league’s golden 50th season.
Tubid now leads the Terrafirma Dyip after playing for the team for one season. Wilson takes charge of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, while Tenorio assumes the head coaching role for the Magnolia Hotshots.
“Excited parin na ma-testing na yung ability to coach. So inaano ko yung challenge din. Inaano ko yung, siyempre dream natin as a player before. That’s why nandito tayo eh,” Tubid said during the PBA Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. “Hopefully makapag-change ako ng Terrafirma.”
Tubid shared that he plans to integrate lessons from previous coaches into his own system, emphasizing defense first: “This time siguro, sistema ko. How many coaches naman na pinagdaanan ko… Every coaches na nadaanan ko may nakukuha ako. Tapos dadagdagan pa namin sa sistema namin, before you shoot, depensa muna.”
Wilson, meanwhile, is embracing his role with Phoenix after leading the Fuel Masters to a bronze finish in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament. “It’s amazing. I just feel like even being in consideration with those two, it’s an honor. Obviously it’s a privilege. There’s only 12 coaching spots in the PBA. It’s not lost on me how special the situation is,” he said.
He added that his approach will focus on teamwork and collaboration: “I’m not trying to be anybody but myself. I’m gonna be very collaborative. I’m not gonna be the only guy holding the board. I’m gonna make use of the great minds part of my coaching staff.”
Tenorio, who recently conducted his first practice with Magnolia, will temporarily shift focus to coaching the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team in the FIBA U-16 Asia Cup in Mongolia before returning to prepare the Hotshots for the season.
San Miguel Sports Director Alfrancis Chua earlier tempered expectations for Tenorio but expressed confidence in his leadership, saying he will be “good as head coach.”
These three former Barangay Ginebra players are now set to bring their winning mentality and championship experience to the sidelines, aiming to guide their teams to success in the PBA’s milestone season.
