BY John Miles Arcenal
AFTER years on the bench, DJ Robles finally found his rhythm and the motivation to help University of the East out of its slump.
Spending two seasons and more waiting for his turn, the 6-foot-4 forward made his presence felt for the Red Warriors, tallying 14 points, three boards, and three steals, in their loss to Adamson last Saturday.
In what turned out to be his breakout performance, the 22-year-old talent from Guam flashed promise as a key contributor who may be leaned on to support Precious Momowei and John Abate moving forward.
And while the result still didn’t go their way, Robles is choosing to focus on the fight rather than the frustration.
“I had to adapt because last season I didn’t get to play a lot. So it’s much more of adapting to the game, the physicality and speed. Getting the chance to play more helps me get better," he told SPIN.ph.
“Obviously, there are still things that I need to figure out. I just need to keep on improving, help the team and get the first win.”
When the red-and-white fell behind early after the Soaring Falcons' 17-0 blitz, Robles knew he had to respond.
“Adamson went on a 17-0 run and it made me wanna step up, contribute and help us get back to the game. Obviously, in the third it worked out, but it didn’t work out enough in the fourth,” he added after being pivotal in UE’s 33-point third quarter run.
Mr. DJ, can I make a request?
Though the Red Warriors took yet another L, their fifth in as many games in UAAP Season 88, they have another takeaway in the form of a 22-year-old forward who is ready and raring to continue coming through.
“I’m grateful for it, he’s giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills and help UE get better,” he said, talking about making the most out of the trust placed in him by head coach Chris Gavina.
And after his own breakthrough, Robles has no doubt whatsoever that UE will bust out and barge into the win column sooner rather than later.
As he put it, “We’re obviously in a losing streak so the whole team wants to win, and in practice we’re just giving it all just to get our first win.”
“We just gotta keep fighting hard and perform well.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
