PBA: Paolo Hubalde 'happy and honored' to be part of Barako Bull

Veteran guard Paolo Hubalde played his first game in a Barako Bull jersey this conference after San Miguel traded him for fellow guard Jeric Fortuna.

 

Hubalde, who played four games for San Miguel this season prior to the switch, said he was surprised by the trade but accepted it as part of the business.

 

"Lahat naman kami tradeable. I just use it as motivation," said Hubalde, who played 10 minutes against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Wednesday.

 

"Nangyari na e, wala na tayong magagawa dun. For me I have to move on."

 

Hubalde met his new teammates for the first time during the game, seeing action despite the lack of practice with the team.

 

"Hindi ako nakapag-practice kahapon kasi nalaman ko ['yung trade] tapos na 'yung practice nila," he said.

 

"I'm still happy and honored na binigyan nila ako ng playing time this game."

 

Despite being a new addition to Barako's lineup this year, Hubalde was reunited with former teammates Michael Pennisi and Denok Miranda. The three of them played for Petron Blaze Boosters team that won the 2011 Governors' Cup.

 

"Basically 'yung ibang tinatakbo naming plays, we ran it dun sa Petron before," Hubalde said. "I think big difference na meron kaming chemistry."

 

The guard, however, admitted that he still has to adjust to the team in general.

 

"Nangangapa ako nung una, iilan lang 'yung konti kong alam na plays," he said.

 

But as he fits in to Barako, he hopes to have a bigger role as a veteran guard.

 

"'Yung goal ko as a veteran is to help them to be more focused, give leadership sa team." — JST, GMA News