LA SALLE COACH TOPEX ROBINSON -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
All that went down after a controversial first meeting in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament resurfaced in the rematch between defending champion La Salle and the University of the Philippines (UP).
A part of Topex Robinson tasted it.
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“I’ve been with Coach Yang [Guiao] For most of my career. I know how it feels to be hated,” Robinson, who played for the illustrious mentor during his stint with the Red Bulls in the PBA, told the Inquirer late Sunday evening.
“I always remind myself what he said that if there was no Paquito Diaz, there would be no FPJ,” he said, referring to the late great actor Fernando Poe Jr., whose action films always included perennial foil Diaz. Were.
“When I was at Red Bull, [being the villain] our role was [the animosity] Actually I don’t mind; I really enjoy it.”
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Furthermore, Robinson said, “[A]At the end of the day, it is a basketball game and whoever scores the most points wins the game.
And in the second meeting between the two finalists last season, the Archers scored the most points, their 77–66 victory over the Maroons in front of 13,820 animated souls at Smart Araneta Coliseum, completing UP’s season sweep.
However, Robinson accepted the role of the villain, refusing to be distracted by outside noise, making this much-anticipated encounter, which was made up of La Salle’s 68–56 victory over UP in the first round, complete with spitting. Allegations were made, which almost cleared both of them. bench.
“I approached it the same way I approach every game – that I would just focus on teaching my players how to [to play the right way] And then make sure we’re on the same page,” Robinson said.
And the players responded.
Kevin Quiambao, Mike Phillips and Joshua David combined to earn the win again, maintaining La Salle’s psychological edge over UP while clinching the No. 1 spot in the playoffs with a 12–1 (win–loss) record.
The Maroons, now 9-3, will settle for valuable pieces: As the No. 2 team, they will have a one-win advantage against any team that reaches the No. 3 seed.
eliminate noise
Cuambao scored 15 points to bounce back from an uncharacteristic outing against Far Eastern University, where he connected on only two shots. Energy Guy Phillips had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while David had 12 points and seven rebounds.
These are the performances Robinson wants to highlight, and why he chose to drown out the noise generated by the first meeting between the two schools.
,[I only did] “What I’m supposed to do is lead these guys and I can’t be selfish and betray them,” Robinson said. “I apologized to him because I felt very bad during the first round [the controversy] Took away credit from players who actually played well in that game. so [this time] I said things could never be about me again. I don’t want to be selfish.”
La Salle is left with one last assignment at also-powered National University, a nonconference game on Wednesday at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion. The dormant Archers are waiting to see who they will face in the playoffs with the No. 4 spot, which the Growling Tigers currently occupy, is yet to be decided.
Adamson and the Tamaraws are still in the hunt for a coveted Final Four berth and University of the East’s hold on the No. 3 spot is still uncertain.
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,[Prevailing against UP again] It doesn’t really affect us that much that we worry about those things too much,” Robinson said. “When I was with [Lyceum as head coach]I’ve been number 1 many times [and ended up not winning the title] So I know the feeling. I’ve had experiences of not finishing strong so it’s always a reminder to me. inquiry
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