De La Salle University bruiser Mike Phillips has built a reputation as one of the top rim protectors in UAAP Season 87’s Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
But this time, he intensified his efforts not in a scramble for a loose ball, but to defend one of the most important people in his life – his head coach, Topex Robinson.
With Robinson facing criticism after an altercation with University of the Philippines guard Reyland Torres, Phillips took the opportunity to stand up for his mentor during the post-game press conference after La Salle’s 77-68 victory over University of the East on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Instead of discussing his performance, Phillips delivered a passionate three-minute defense of Robinson, who had been under fire for his role in the incident.
“For me, man, Coach Topex has proven time and time and time again that he has our backs,” said Phillips, who led the Green Archers with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
“He’s a man of his word. Ever since his first training here, he’s a guy who, when we win, he puts all the credit to the team, and when we lose, he takes all the blame. That’s hard to do, man. That’s really hard to do.”
Phillips continued, “Time and time again, he just lets us be men; he just lets us be kids. We’re out here playing the game we love, and he’s taking all of the heat. I think a lot of times he doesn’t realize how much that really takes the pressure off us. I’m able to play this game with my teammates and brothers because Coach Topex takes the weight off.”
As Phillips spoke, the room fell silent.
Not one person interrupted the current leader of the Green Archers.
He and teammate Vhoris Marasigan could have left the press conference early, as is customary for players to return to the locker room while their coach continues with media interviews.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
However, both stayed – an act of loyalty toward Robinson.
Their decision to remain was rooted in the unwavering support they felt from him, a sentiment built from tough times, like during Season 86 when Robinson took full responsibility for the team’s struggles.
“Every single time I make a mistake, a bad play, even outside the court, he’s the first one to say, ‘Mike, I’m here for you’,” Phillips shared.
“Even with the UP situation, I just want everyone to know that myself, the entire team, and the whole Lasallian community are behind him because he’s always been behind us,” said the 32nd Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.
“When the lights are off, it could’ve been easy for him to say, ‘Hey, it’s the team.’ But when the lights are on or off, you can see Coach Topex is a man of his word. He sticks up for his players. When we make mistakes, he’s there for us.”
Earlier in the day, the UAAP issued a statement confirming that both Robinson and Torres received strong warnings for their roles in the altercation.
While La Salle has yet to make an official comment, it seemed as if Phillips had taken it upon himself to defend his coach and speak for the Green Archers.
“I’m not too familiar with the whole situation, but whatever happens, whatever comes out, we’re behind Coach Topex. Whatever’s going on, we’re taking the weight off him this time,” Phillips added.
“If there’s any statement I can make, it’s that in all my years at La Salle, Coach Topex has always had our backs. That means the world to us. A righteous man falls seven times and gets up eight. Coach Topex is someone who embodies that. He’s an extension of Jesus because he’s human, and yet, he gets back up every time.”
Ultimately, both Robinson and the Green Archers need to move forward from this incident.
However, if there’s one thing the team made clear, it’s their unshakable loyalty to their coach.
As they demonstrated, an attack on Robinson is an attack on the entire team.
“We’re all human. Tempers flare, we go back and forth, but Coach Topex is always there for us, even at our lowest. Now that we’re at a higher point, he’s still there for us.”
