WITH Davao Occidental’s season on the line the Tigers came up with different plays, all designed to put the ball in Billy Robles’ hands.
The Ilonggo guard delivered.
Robles poured 12 of his career-best 22 points in the fourth as Davao Occidental scored a 77-66 Game Four win over San Juan to send the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup National Finals to a deciding Game Five.
"Billy played big for us," said coach Don Dulay. "All our plays in the fourth was just give the ball to Billy."
Robles' explosion allowed the Tigers to fight back from a 57-47 deficit and seize control of the game thanks to a 26-6 killer to take a 73-63 lead in the final 36.8 seconds.
"Siguro nilakasan ko lang yung loob ko kasi pag natalo kami, wala na eh. Binuhos ko na lahat," said Robles. "Sabi nga ni coach, laban lang."
Robles also collected 18 rebounds and three assists as he hushed the rabid Filoil Flying V Centre to send the best-of-five championship series back to their homecourt at Rizal Memorial College Gym on Thursday.
"Siguro isa na rin yun sa mga rason," said the 6-foot playmaker.
"Sabi ko nga, hahayaan ko na lang sila tsaka maglalaro na lang ako. Sunod lang ako sa game plan ni coach," he said.
"Sa akin lang, kailangan talaga naming manalo kasi pag natalo kami, wala na talaga, next conference na naman. Kaya go hard lang ako, sipag lang, at nagbunga naman."
Now, the crowd will be on Davao Occidental's side as the Tigers gun to seal the deal in front of its home floor.
"Bahala na, basta laban lang," he said.
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