It has been two years since they last worked together, but the bond between Topex Robinson and CJ Perez remains strong.
What the seasoned coach and the talented guard accomplished together remains unforgettable. The two were at the forefront of Lyceum’s rise to prominence in college basketball.
Now, Robinson and Perez have the opportunity to do something special together once more.
The two have reunited in Gilas Pilipinas, with both part of the national team’s journey to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers’ first window set to take place later this February.
“Any way I could get close to this kid is gonna be something special for me,” expressed Robinson.
“The relationship that we’ve built, this is gonna solidify that relationship. It’s something that I’m excited about.”
Of course, the Perez that Robinson is working with now is different from the one he handled before, as the 6-foot-2 swingman has morphed into one of the PBA’s young stars.
And that only makes the 45-year-old bench tactician extremely proud of the Bautista, Pangasinan-native.
‘I’m just happy for him. Everything he has achieved is something he worked for,” he said.
“He’s blessed with the talent, pero ang nagkaiba doon is ano ang ginawa niya sa talent na binigay sa kanya.”
Perez and Robinson’s time in Lyceum saw the Pirates reach the NCAA Finals in 2017 and 2018, but those trips ended in heartbreak, as they lost to the San Beda Red Lions on both occasions.
So for Perez, he hopes that he and his mentor will taste success together with the national team.
“Sana maipanalo namin lahat ng games namin para maganda yung bawi,” said the Columbian Dyip’s main man.
“Hindi kami nanalo sa Finals ni Coach Topex together, pero kung maipapanalo namin ‘to talagang magandang achievement para sa ‘ming dalawa ‘to. And siyempre sa Philippine team.”
