💖 A Well-Deserved Shot: Sidney Onwubere Earns His PBA Return with NLEX
The journey of Sidney Onwubere has been a quintessential story of perseverance in the PBA, characterized by flashes of brilliance punctuated by sudden roadblocks. After being left without a team following the merger that saw the NorthPort Batang Pier franchise transition to Titan Ultra, the veteran forward was abruptly set adrift as a free agent.
Now, that journey has taken a positive turn. The NLEX Road Warriors have secured Onwubere's services, signing him to a two-conference contract. The $6'4"$ forward, who was the 8th overall pick in the 2017 draft, is now eligible to play immediately, and his excitement is palpable.
“Very happy na makabalik. I’m going back to one of the MVP Group teams, and that makes it more exciting,” said Onwubere, referencing his previous stint with TNT, his first PBA ballclub. “Hopefully, I can contribute even a little bit and help NLEX continue their excellent standing.”
🌟 Why Sidney Onwubere Deserves Another Chance
For a player who has been a valuable rotational piece and a two-time PBA champion with Barangay Ginebra, being suddenly unsigned was a bitter pill. But looking at his career arc, Onwubere is precisely the type of player who warrants another chance in the league:
The Power Forward Grind: Onwubere has proven his capability to contribute valuable minutes as a forward who can play bigger than his size. In the 2020 PBA Bubble with Rain or Shine, he logged $15.5$ minutes per game, putting up solid numbers ($5.8$ points, $3.4$ rebounds). More recently, in his last full season with NorthPort in 2024-2025, he was averaging $5.0$ points and $3.4$ rebounds in $14.6$ minutes per game—productive bench numbers for an energy guy.
The Championship Pedigree: Having won titles with Ginebra, Onwubere understands the demanding culture and intensity required of a championship team. He brings the maturity and the "no-nonsense" approach that complements a veteran squad like NLEX, which is currently making a push for a top four finish.
A Perfect Fit for NLEX: The Road Warriors, who have been focused on bolstering their frontline, are getting a versatile forward who can guard multiple positions and provide a burst of energy off the bench. He is a defensive-minded player whose hustle and willingness to take on contact align perfectly with the needs of a contender looking to increase its bench depth.
For Onwubere, this is more than just a contract; it is validation. It’s a return to the MVP Group family and a chance to prove that the setback of being released by Titan Ultra was merely a temporary detour. His return to the PBA is a win for perseverance, and a timely boost for the NLEX Road Warriors.
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