Rubillar: D'Barkadz used to escaping tight situations

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

D'BARKADZ coach Robert Rubillar felt that they had the advantage when the Low San Basketball Tournament final went down the wire.

It took an Absar Salih basket with 5.6 seconds left to separate them from Wan Sing on Saturday.

"Our advantage is our exposure to these kinds of situations. We have always been here from the Sultan's Cup (YOU.C1000 Cup) up until the final of the Low San Cup, we managed to escape tight situations," said Rubillar in an interview with BruSports News.

"As you noticed, somebody had to step up to save the game. If not (Jomarie) Corpuz, one hero will come out to save the game.

Absar Alih (L) goes for a rebound. **Picture:** Yee Chun Leong

"We have our system of communicating on the court on both ends of the floor and we always execute well," he added.

Ryan Garcia was the hero in the semis and this time Absar Salih in the final.

The latter even had to be subbed out midway through the decisive frame due to a cramp before returning.

"They are all capable and I don't stop or limit them once on the court. They all don't give up and Absar was one of them," said Rubillar.

Corpuz has been the main cager for D'Barkadz and this time he carried them in the first half before fizzing out in the second.

He was constantly chucking up threes despite struggling from range.

When asked regarding his performance, Rubillar replied: "Corpuz is always our main guy. The others were unselfishly and patiently supporting him.

Joven Dungog (R) takes a three-point shot. **Picture:** Yee Chun Leong

"Chemistry lies on trust and blaming for one's mistake is not part of that. It's a tough mind game. Character and mindset separate them from others," he added.

D'Barkadz had lost key players Ernesto Espique and Jonel Terrado, both moving to play for TK Teahouse.

Rubillar was pleased that the players occupying the roster stepped up.

"I am extremely proud of them, and how they welcomed the replacements (Garcia and Marion Pineda) as if nothing changed," said Rubillar.

"The replacements just followed and replicated our system. They are all resilient and well rounded as a person and as a player," he added.

Rubillar concluded by highlighting that basketball is not only about team plays and strategies but instead more on how to deal with players' egos and emotions.

Wan Sing in a group photo. **Picture:** Yee Chun Leong

Meanwhile, Wan Sing assistant manager Joel Necesito gave credit to his charges despite getting the short end of the stick.

"D'Barkadz got the upper hand in the early stages but through the efforts and never say die attitude of Wan Sing players, we were able to cut the deficit and even took the lead," said Necesito.

"Unfortunately injuries to our key players Joven (Dungog) and Kenny (Lim) as well as missed freethrows in the last few minutes cost us the final.

"We will move on and we’ll be better come the next tournament as last night’s failed bid is part of the learning process to have a winning culture," he concluded.