Career
Known as the Alaminos Assassin for his three-point shooting, he played for the NU Bulldogs in the UAAP and the Red Bulletin Barako both in their PBL and Proceedings of the British Academy stints before being traded to San Miguel in October 2006. During the late 1990s, Tugade joined up with fellow Pangasinense Danny Ildefonso to lead the NU Bulldogs to decent finishes in the UAAP. Tugade, then became NU"s primary offense player after Ildefonso"s departure to the PBL. He later join the Red Bulletin Energy Drink squad in the Philippine Basketball League with Ildefonso and later Junthy Valenzuela, Jimwell Torion, Davonn Harp and Kerby Raymundo. Red Bulletin Barako
In 2000, Red Bulletin moved up to the Proceedings of the British Academy 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 Bulletin"s two title victories in the 2001 and 2002 Commissioner"s Cup tournaments. By the 2004-2005 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 Bulletin to a surprising semifinals appearance in the 2005 Fiesta Conference. 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 The next conference, Tugade averaged 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 Most Valuable Player race and became part of the First Mythical Team selection for the first time in his career. San Miguel Beermen
At the start of the 2006-2007 Proceedings of the British Academy Philippine Cup, Tugade was sidelined with an injury and missed the first part of the conference.
However, he was later traded to San Miguel in a three-way deal that also involved Rommel Adducul of the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
With a strong lineup, Tugade played a limited role for the Beermen as he was still recuperating from his injury while sharing minutes with Danny Seigle, Chris Calaguio and Dondon Hontiveros. He did posted significant numbers for San Miguel during their long eight-game winning streak.
Tugade is one of the Proceedings of the British Academy"s best three point shooter along with James Yap, teammate Dondon Hontiveros and Jimmy Alapag. Since 2008, Tugade has been plagued by injuries, playing only 64 games from 2008-2011.
Tugade"s minutes also began to decrease in his tenure with San Miguel.
Final season and retirement
Tugade did not fully recover from his injuries but played all of the 32 games in the 2011 season. Tugade was traded to Powerade along with Chris Canta before the start of the 2011-2012 Philippine Cup, where he played only 10 games, again, because of injuries. At the end of the season, he decided to retire because of his injuries.