ONE OF the best Thomasian pitchers is back on the Golden Sox’ mound as a mentor.
Having played under coach Jeff Santiago, two-time UAAP MVP and Season 68 Best Pitcher Jonjon Robles is suiting up as the new assistant coach of the UST baseball team.
The 26-year-old Robles once brought his expertise to greater heights when he played for the national team in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers in Taiwan last year. After his stint,Robles returned to his alma mater to impart his experience and knowledge.
“I’m happy because I’m back where I came from. I could relay to the players everything I learned here [in UST] and as a member of the national team,” Robles said.
Robles knows that more than the skills, it’s the attitude that will push the player to deliver—just like what Santiago taught him.
“Based on what I learned from coach Jeff, the techniques are a given. But you have to work on yourself and your outlook [toward the game] since that can’t be taught by the coach,” the former Golden Sox slugger said. “Once you’re in the middle [of the pitch] all by yourself, you’d have to deliver on your own.”
The lure of the game kept him from finishing his degree in UST.
Right after exhausting his playing years in the UAAP, Robles was offered to play for the Arrows Ostrava with then Philippine team coach Edgar Delos Reyes in the Czech Extraliga, a commercial baseball league, in 2008.
He was dubbed by the Czechs as the “Crazy Filipino” after pitching for nine straight innings then pitching for another four innings the next day despite a massive shoulder inflammation. He went on to lead his team to winning both games.
Robles was also part of the national team that faced Thailand, 24th Southeast Asian Games host, in the finals. He also paved the way for the Makati Mariners to make it to the Baseball Philippines Series I Championships.
Despite failing to earn a degree, Robles says there’s no feeling more fulfilling than representing the country.
“Of course, it’s the Philippines. Whatever Manny Pacquiao feels when he fights, it’s the same for every athlete who carries our flag,” he said.
Humble beginnings
Robles originally played softball as a grade schooler in Bulacan. He was with his friends playing in a farm when one of their teachers saw them and later formed a baseball team.
He then accepted an athletic scholarship from Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School, where he further honed his craft in the Palarong Pambansa.
Encouraged by his high school mentor, Robles first tried out for the University of the Philippines’ baseball team, but did not make the cut.
The “probinsyano” also found it hard to fit in and recalled being quite intimidated by his peers, who were mostly from Manila.
“Masyado raw akong probinsyano. ‘Pag kinukumpara ko nga ang porma ko noon sa mga nakikita ko sa Maynila, parang ‘Wow, wala akong sinabi sa mga ‘to,'” he recalled.
Robles, though, found a home in UST after fellow Bulakeño Santiago recruited him to be a part of the Golden Sox.
He may have returned to his alma mater, but Robles will not turn his back on national duties as he is set to wear the gloves once more for the Philippines this December.
