[clarification needed] His role diminished when the Beermen took in Brandon Cablay and played only eight games in that season in just five minutes a night of exposure.

[citation needed] Hubalde saw himself reuniting with coach Jong Uichico with the Barangay Ginebra Kings in a multi-player trade in the early part of the season.

However, he was a third stringer in the point guard rotation after the Kings signed veteran Johnny Abarrientos to be the chief backup of Jayjay Helterbrand.

During the 2008–09 season, Hubalde was signed by the Barako Bull Energy Boosters, where he finally had the chance to prove his skills as an athletic point guard.

There he became a role player and helped the Cojuangco-owned franchise now known as the Petron Blaze Boosters win the 2011 PBA Governors' Cup against Talk 'N Text.