De La Salle University coach Topex Robinson had a tone of frustration after the Green Archers succumbed to National University 77-80 in overtime in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
It marked the second time the Green Archers lost to a member of last year’s Final Four as they also tasted a 72-77 defeat to archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles last October 4.
La Salle had no answer when Pat Yu gave NU a five-point cushion in overtime. Evan Nelle brought the Green Archers within two points with a three-point shot but time eventually ran out. Uncertainty occurred in the endgame, though, as La Salle argued for more time after a foul but there was no miracle that came.
“Well, those few seconds, I don’t know,” said Robinson. “I think if you’re gonna look at those last few seconds, I don’t wanna speak for this but I mean if you’re gonna look at that last inbound, I mean you be the judge.
“I don’t know. We’re looking at it. It’s not NU’s fault. Obviously, they really did well. It’s just hard to put those kinds of situations in somebody else’s hands. It is what it is. We lost to NU this afternoon.”
While it is still relatively early in the season, every loss for a major program by La Salle is scrutinized by its community, especially in this social media age. Everyone has an opinion about who should have been on the court and what else should have been done so that the Green Archers could have won.
One such query was why sophomore wing player EJ Abadam played less than five minutes despite scoring two three-pointers.
On the other hand, veteran guard Joaqui Manuel, played close to 13 minutes but only produced three points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal as well as missed two crucial free throws in overtime.
“Just like everybody else, (Manuel) made some mistakes down the line,” said Robinson. “It happens. When we were winning, he was doing the right things on the court.
“Now, when we’re losing — just like the situation with Earl — Joaqui is gonna be magnified. As what I said, it’s my responsibility to make the right calls and together with that, I’m gonna make bad decisions.”
While it is premature to call for Robinson’s head, the former San Sebastian College mentor knows that pressure mounts with every defeat.
It has been seven years since La Salle won the UAAP championship. The Green Archers were one of the favorites of the crown coming into this season but losses to the Blue Eagles and Bulldogs have now put some doubt to that.
And when things do not go well for a team, everyone knows whose head is on the chopping block.
“As a coach, you make decisions,” he said. “There are times that you’re gonna make the wrong decision. Sabi ko nga, all of those things are going to be magnified because you lost the game. That’s the irony of being a head coach, you know?
“There are gonna be a lot of online coaches who will pop up asking that same question. At the end of the day, again, I coach this team. I lead this team. That’s just about it. When you lose the game, you take the responsibility,” he continued.
“When you win games, you give credit to the team. That’s part of what I do as the head coach. Kumbaga, yung ulo ko parati nakaharap dito. But again, it is what it is. I know what I signed up for. What’s important nga is wala na kami magagawa dun eh. That’s done and over with.”
Up next for the Green Archers will be a clash against league leaders University of the Philippines this Wednesday. The Fighting Maroons have been more successful than the Green Archers starting from Season 81.
Yes, this loss to the Bulldogs is tough to take for La Salle but it has no choice but to move forward quickly as another tough test awaits.
“Even if we cry over that situation, it’s not gonna change,” said Robinson.
“Just like what Kevin (Quiambao) said, what’s important is the game in front of us, which is gonna be UP. We’re gonna learn from these mistakes and we’re gonna move forward.”
