Last Thursday, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates completed the biggest regular season turnaround in the 93-year history of the NCAA, sweeping the elimination round after finishing in ninth place just a season ago.
This was the culmination of Robinson’s four-year revamp of the young Lyceum basketball program, that saw plenty of heartbreak, disappointments, and losses. Still, Robinson persevered, continuing to find the good in everything that was happening around him, that culminated in this.
But even with the success that the Pirates has been experiencing in the season, the youthful mentor is not buying the hype that he has been receiving, believing that there is still a lot to learn. And with the week-long break for the Pirates, he is planning a visit or two to Katipunan.
“We will continue to improve and try to get better and I’m already knocking on Coach Tab Baldwin’s practices just to look at what they’re doing,” the 37-year-old ex-pro shared, “I want to learn from him.
“I’m still a young coach, my cup is still empty, and I’m still looking for opportunities to grow.
“Watching Ateneo play is really inspiring me also,” Robinson admitted.
Hearing about this, Baldwin, who has steered the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles to an immaculate 10-0 record, is opening the doors of the Moro Lorenzo Gym for Robinson, wanting to have a deep basketball conversation with Lyceum’s tactician.
“I would like to have a deeper relationship with him because he’s an outstanding coach and he’s done a great job with that team,” said Baldwin, who is in his second year with the Blue Eagles.
“He plays a style of basketball that we struggle with sometimes, that high intensity pressure and I think there’s a lot that I can learn from him.”
Moreover, Baldwin shares the same belief with Robinson that basketball is a medium that can help empower the youth.
“He and I have chatted on a few occasions. I have a huge amount of respect for him and what he achieved and the way he does it,” Baldwin added, “You know he really emphasizes character in his players and he wants them to be good people and he believes that basketball is a vehicle to improving your life.
“Really, that’s the Ateneo way and that’s what we believe as well.”
Though their coaching styles have been different, the two coaches have been driven by the same goals that have led to the success for Lyceum and Ateneo.
