After a shaky start in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers have seemingly found their groove as they collected their second win in a row on Thursday, after overwhelming the Wang’s-Letran Couriers.
And for veteran gunner Billy Ray Robles, who missed the first of their two-game streak versus the Batangas-EAC Generals as he rested his left knee, he hopes that this will be the start of Marinero’s journey towards better chemistry.
“Sana,” hoped the Ilonggo guard, who finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and three blocks in Marinerong Pilipino’s 96-84 victory.
“Sana eto na yung sign para dire-direcho na kami, tsaka maging okay yung chemistry naman. Sana.”
Robles might actually be considered as one of the Skippers’ elder statesman due to his vast experience. He can still score in bunches, but that’s the least of his concerns right now, as Marinero already have a lot of scorers to turn to.
“Tulong ko lang sa team is yung hustle ko, depensa, tsaka kung anong pinag-uutos ni coach. Yun lang gagawin ko. Okay lang naman. Pwede naman ako umadjust eh, kasi marami naman kaming scorer,” he said.
And speaking of defense, that, for Robles, was the major key that helped Marinero collect the win. They forced the Couriers into 16 turnovers, which translated to 10 points and helped them pick up 22 fastbreak points.
“Buti maganda yung depensa namin — pinraktis talaga namin, pinaghandaan talaga namin ‘tong Wang’s kasi malakas talaga sila eh,” said the 25-year-old, who went undrafted in the 2016 Rookie Draft.
“Last game nila dikit lang sila sa [Zark’s-]LPU kaya talagang pinaghandaan namin sila.”
Momentum is clearly on the side of the sophomore club team right now. However, a challenge lies ahead, as their next game against the AMA Online Education Titans will be 14 days away from now — February 22, Thursday.
But Robles doesn’t see it as a dilemma. The former Rain or Shine Elasto Painter only sees it as an opportune time for the Skippers to further improve their jelling.
“Siyempre. Kailangan namin yun kasi masyado ng dikit eh, malapit na matapos yung eliminations,” Robles said.
“Sana bago mag-playoffs, okay na yung chemistry namin tsaka tuloy-tuloy na, para maging solid kami lalo.”
