BILLY Ray Robles is back in the PBA after making a name for himself with the Davao Occidental Tigers in the regional leagues.
Robles appeared in his first game with Phoenix Super LPG on Sunday, five years after his previous stint in the PBA with Rain or Shine. He played 13 minutes and filled the stats sheet with two points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Prior to the signing with Phoenix, Robles bounced around in different leagues but found a home at Davao Occidental where he was one of the key players in the Tigers’ run to the 2019-2021 Lakan Season crown in the MPBL.
Left undrafted in 2016 in the PBA before his short-lived stay with Rain or Shine, the 29-year-old admitted he felt right at home with the Tigers that he would be happy if he retired as a member of the ballclub.
But Phoenix came calling.
“Nagkataon lang din talaga,” said Robles on the fate that brought him to Phoenix. “Tinawagan na ako ni coach Topex.”
Mandaluyong neighbors
The call came after Phoenix Super LPG coach Topex Robinson learned that Robles was his neighbor in Mandaluyong, having spotted him in a nearby court.
But even before the chance meeting in the neighborhood, Robinson said he already saw Robles’ potential and felt he can fill Phoenix's need for a defensive player following the departure of Chris Banchero due to free agency.
“I was watching him sa MPBL and he was just playing tapos inimbitahan ko. Kapitbahay ko kasi nakita ko nagsu-shooting. Ininvite ko mag-try out,” said Robinson.

The tryout confirmed what Robinson already knew.
“He really played well sa practice. He filled the void. When we lost CB (Banchero), we needed a defensive guy,” said Robinson.
Even though his career flourished with Davao Occidental, Robles said the dream of returning to the PBA burned inside of him.
“Sa totoo lang, akala ko sa Davao na talaga ako magre-retiro sa basketball kasi pamilya na rin sila. Pero hindi pa naman natatapos ‘yung pangarap na makabalik sa PBA," he said.
"Nung dumating ‘yung opportunity na ‘to, nagpaalam ako ng maayos sa Davao. Pinayagan naman ako,” said Robles.
The man, actually, is full of surprises.
Way before his draft aspirations in 2016, Robles was playing for little-known Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College when he was spotted by former player Eugene Tan, who at that time had a friend who was forming a team in Manila.
“Pag-graduate ko, ininvite ako ni coach Eugene Tan kasi nagte-training siya doon sa amin. Pinag-try out nya kami. Nagkaroon ng team ‘yung kakilala niya, nag-invite ng player, napasama ako. Nag-try out ako, nakuha naman,” said Robles, whose first Manila team was with Hogs’ Breath in the PBA D-League.
Despite being undrafted in 2016, Robles was also invited to a tryout with Rain or Shine and gained a spot with the Elastopainters where one of the assistant coaches at that time was Don Dulay, who later recruited him to play for Davao Occidental.
“Si coach Don Dulay talaga ang nagbuhay ng career ko sa MPBL,” said Robles.
The Iloilo native said none of these would've happened if not for his successful four-year stint with the Davao Occidental Tigers. And for that, he is eternally grateful.
“Malaking bagay din ‘yun kasi na-buo ‘yung kumpiyansa ko na hindi ko nakuha dati sa PBA," he said. "Sila ‘yung nagbigay ng kumpiyansa sa akin."
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