ANTIPOLO – It’s his way of paying back, simply put.
Topex Robinson turned sentimental after winning over his former mentor Yeng Guiao following Phoenix Super LPG’s escape of Rain or Shine in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup encounter Wednesday at the Ynares Center.
“I love him to death,” he said after the 92-83 victory.
“Kahit sinisigawan niya ‘ko, kahit minumura niya ‘ko, kahit nagko-coach kami ngayon because I know that he loves me. That’s more than basketball. That’s why I love to play against him kasi it’s my way of paying back.”
The Fuel Masters head coach actually has the number of the champion bench tactician, having won four of their last five meetings including Wednesday’s, according to league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
Definitely, there’s an added push for Robinson whenever he goes up against Guiao. But it’s all about showing love to the very same person that took a chance on him back in 2003 that paved the way for his PBA career.
To the very same person that influenced him to be a coach.
“‘Pag binalatan mo ‘ko, Yeng Guiao lalabas sa akin e,” said the former Red Bull floor general. “The moment I came into the league back in 2003, I already knew I’m gonna be a coach. I don’t know why I was thinking that way.
“So everything that he wrote down on the board, I always write it down. Wala pang cellphone noon, but I always write it down, I don’t know why but everything that he said, hanggang ngayon alam ko. Because I wanted to be that person.”
The influence is indeed deep and that is why Robinson makes sure to give his players a chance to shine, because he himself was blessed enough to be given an opportunity by Guiao when he was signed by the Barako 19 years ago.
“What other people don’t see is [that] everybody loves him. Everybody will fight for him, and now that I’m a coach, I told myself I will give these players a chance because Yeng Guiao gave me a chance,” the 47-year-old said.
“And that’s just my way of paying it forward.
“I always tell this to my team: I owe everything to Yeng Guiao. Because if not for Yeng Guiao, I’m not gonna be a PBA player. So I will forever be grateful to him, and the only way I could pay it back is to give chance to others,” he added.
Proof of which was against the Elasto Painters itself, where he allowed Encho Serrano to shine especially in the endgame that saw him score six of their last nine points to ward off their foes. He finished with a career-high 18 points.
(C) PBA Images
“Everybody passed on Encho,” he said, recalling the last Rookie Draft that saw Phoenix pick the guard at 19th overall — quite a surprise for some as he was projected either as a late first-rounder or an early second-round selection.
“And I gave Encho this chance because I was also given a chance. Kaya sinasabi ko rin palagi na ‘wag niyo pabayaan kasi I just took advantage of that guy giving me a chance,” the two-time PBA champion closed.
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