Lordy Tugade - PBA Career - Red Bull Barako

Red Bull Barako

In 2000, Red Bull moved up to the PBA ranks as its 10th member. Newly-installed head coach Yeng Guiao, the same man who guided the PBL as its commissioner from 1997–1999, picked Tugade as one of six direct-hire players from their amateur team.

He played a limited role during his first three seasons in the league and was instrumental in Red Bull's two title victories in the 2001 and 2002 Commissioner's Cup tournaments.

By the 2004-05 season, Tugade's role increased after the franchise retooled its lineup following losses to Davonn Harp, Willie Miller, and for a while, Mick Pennisi. Along with Enrico Villanueva both led Red Bull to a surprising semifinals appearance in the 2005 Fiesta Conference.

At the 2005-2006 Fiesta Conference, through the effort of Tugade, Villanueva, the return of Mick "The Slick" Pennisi, the acquisition of rookie shooting guard Larry Fonacier, the much-suited import James Penny, and the other tough players from the team, Red Bull won the Fiesta Conference crown and the club's first title in four years. In Game 2 against the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, Tugade outscored all locals with 30 points before eventually winning the championship. He was named the Finals Most Valuable Player for the first time in his PBA career.

The next conference, Tugade avaerged 56.7 percent from the three-point distance, the highest of his career and became the league's leading three-point shooter during the 2006 Philippine Cup. The Bulls made it to the finals but lost to Purefoods in six games. At the end of the season, he ranked fourth in the MVP race and became part of the First Mythical Team selection for the first time in his career.

Read more about this topic:  Lordy Tugade, PBA Career

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