De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson could only hope for the best as forward Mason Amos faces an MRI on his right knee following a painful injury scare in the Green Archers’ 78-82 defeat to National University in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Sunday afternoon, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The 6-foot-7 stretch forward went down in agony after NU’s Gelo Santiago inadvertently landed on his right knee midway through the fourth quarter.
Amos, who tallied seven points and four assists before the incident, immediately clutched his leg in pain as he lay on the floor.
The 6-foot-7 Fil-Australian was later wheeled out of the court with medical assistance at the 7:07 mark and brought to the Green Archers’ dugout.
It was a heartbreaking moment for La Salle, especially after the 21-year-old former Ateneo Blue Eagle admitted feeling “a pop” in his knee when the collision happened.
“We just hope he’s gonna be okay and hope that the results are gonna turn out positive for us. That’s the situation that we’re in right now,” said Robinson, whose squad dropped to solo fifth at 2-3 — their slowest start to a UAAP campaign under his watch.
“He wasn’t expecting it. But again, those things really happen. What we’re hoping right now is for a positive result in his check-up.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Robinson was quick to clarify that the incident was purely accidental and not malicious. He pointed out that Santiago was merely trying to navigate a tough pick-and-roll setup involving Amos and Kean Baclaan.
“He will have his MRI later tonight. I think based on what he told us, he felt a pop when he got hit. Again, it’s accidental, and it could happen to anybody,” the 50-year-old mentor shared.
With Amos potentially sidelined, Robinson stressed that La Salle will need a collective effort to fill the void.
Fortunately, the Green Archers had prepared for such scenarios during the offseason, building depth across their rotation to handle unexpected setbacks.
Among those expected to step up in Amos’ absence are Lebron Daep, Luis Pablo, and Bright Nwankwo — players Robinson believes are ready to rise to the challenge should their teammate be ruled out for any length of time.
“That opportunity will just present itself to whoever wants it. Obviously, we don’t want anything serious to happen to Mason, but just like what you said, there’s always gonna be the probability,” Robinson said.
“We prepared for these kinds of situations and I guess this is gonna be an opportunity for another player to step up and try to cover for that missing piece in Mason.”
#WATCH: Topex Robinson gives an update on Mason Amos’s status after that scary crash with Gelo Santiago 🏹🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/2R23xgKfUd
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/BkWD8XvfFG
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 12, 2025
