Topex Robinson’s gamble paid off.
Without any assurance, the 48-year-old head coach turned down a deal with Phoenix Super LPG when his contract expired last December 31.
Though Robinson was on the shortlist of who De La Salle University wanted to replace Derrick Pumaren – a list that included notable coaches Nenad Vucinic, Rajko Toroman, and Cholo Villaneuva – he was not assured of landing the gig.
Then came the walk-ins that had the likes of Jeffrey Cariaso, Luigi Trillo, and Louie Alas.
As the long agonizing wait ended, it was Robinson who was chosen to be the next mentor of the Green Archers.
Of course, Robinson felt relief. But he knows that the bigger battle is set to begin.
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“I’m so grateful and honored to be in this situation. I myself growing up was a fan of La Salle basketball. Never have I imagined that this dream will come to fruition. It’s an honor and a privilege,” Robinson, who studied at and played for San Sebastian College-Recoletos during the late 90s, told Tiebreaker Times.
“I played and coached against La Salle, being a part of La Salle is a dream come true for me.”
The Green Archers had a loaded team last year.
The UAAP Season 84 team was spearheaded by Justine Baltazar. Meanwhile, the Season 85 squad featured the likes of Kevin Quiambao and Deschon Winston.
Though La Salle was able to finish third in Season 84, they were not able to make the Final Four boat in the next season.
Pressure will be on Robinson to immediately deliver for the Green Archers. It’s the same pressure the likes of Gee Abanilla, Juno Sauler, Aldin Ayo, Louie Gonzalez, Jermaine Byrd, and Derrick Pumaren during their time in Taft Avenue.
But it’s with pressure that the cream rises. And Robinson knows that all too well.
“First, I’m a now-thinker, I don’t look at what the past was and whatever it was. I’m more focused on what I have control of and that’s now,” said Robinson, who previously handled San Sebastian and Lyceum of the Philippines University during the 2010s.
“I don’t ever have control of the future so what I have control of is how I’m going to make this players that I serve be in a position to succeed.”
The first order of business for Robinson, along with holdovers Mon Jose and Gian Nazario, is to get to know each and every Green Archer.
Quiambao will still be there, while highly-touted guard DJ Mitchell is tasked to fill the shoes left by Winston.
A third Phillips brother in Isaiah is set to join Michael and Benjamin in La Salle as well.
Of course, everyone, including Robinson, is waiting for Evan Nelle’s commitment to play out his senior year.
Then there are the likes of Mark Nonoy, CJ Austria, Raven Cortez, Penny Estacio, EJ Abadam, Joshua David, JC Macalalag, Aaron Buensalida, Joaqui Manuel, and Ef Escandor who are still in La Salle.
Incoming recruits Jonnel Policarpio, Nathan Montecillo, Jeremy Robinson, and many more are expected to give Robinson a good problem during their build-up for Season 86.
“Obviously, looking at the lineup and studying it, looking at the competition and where we are right now at this very moment, and where we are going to be headed with the personnel, that’s the first line of order for me looking forward for me.”
For the long term, Robinson wants to spearhead one thing – to unify the schools under the De La Salle Philippines network.
Robinson looks to work hand-in-hand with Charles Tiu’s College of Saint Benilde. He wants to have close coordination with Cholo Villanueva’s La Salle Green Hills and Boris Aldeguer’s De La Salle-Zobel.
He wants to have an exchange of knowledge and technology with the coaches of De La Salle-Araneta, Lipa, Bacolod, and others.
A tough task right? Well, Robinson has done it with Lyceum before when he helped build the programs of not just the Manila campus but also the Batangas and Cavite campuses.
“Right now, it’s something that has to be done not just by me but everybody is going to be involved in this team. So, obviously, a connection is important, playing to the right tune, playing to the right beat, and it’s an investment,” he said.
“It’s not automatic and it’s not going to be all of a sudden that all of the schools are connected. It’s going to take a process and it can’t be handled by just one person. I guess being a united front is important in this endeavor.”
