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    Topex declines lucrative Phoenix deal with no firm destination?

    Something doesn't add up
    Jan 12, 2023
    topex robinson
    PHOTO: jerome ascano
    spin zone

    AFTER cutting ties with the Phoenix Super LPG, his home for the past five years, where is Topex Robinson going?

    Nobody seems to know, including his former employers.

    "He still expresses that he has not received any official offers elsewhere. But he did say he is waiting for options and is willing to take the risk for it," a team executive, who requested anonymity, told me via text message.

    READ: Phoenix parts ways with Robinson, appoints Jarin interim coach

    "But he may already have something up his sleeve," the source added.

    I concur.

    In the many times that I have spoken to coach Topex, the word "stupid" doesn't come to mind when characterizing him. Well-spoken and intelligent, he comes across as a man with a plan.

    Guys like that don't leave a high-profile job that is only one of 12 in the Philippines, a country that is crazy about its basketball.

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      And when I found out that the offer Phoenix tendered to Topex was worth roughly P400,000 a month, I knew Robinson was smart enough not to turn that down without the knowledge and certainty of a new job on the horizon.

      I TRIED TO TALK TO TOPEX FOR THIS PIECE BUT HE COULD NOT BE REACHED.

      If he goes to La Salle, a destination many have assumed he'll head to, that process may take some time to unfold given that the Green Archers seem to have as many managers as Gloria Maris has waiters.

      And so we wait.

      Meanwhile, with two weeks to go before the start of the Governor's Cup conference, Phoenix is scampering and has appointed Jamike Jarin as interim head coach.

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      Robinson's sudden but not unexpected departure is a reminder for teams to sign their coaches to an extension within a reasonable time frame before his contract expires.

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      Because the moment a coach overperforms said contract, as Topex did with a team short of talent and budget, other teams will pry him out with generous offers.

      That being said, it's unfair to assume that Robinson left exclusively to find better pay elsewhere.

      Maybe he was just tired and desperately needed a change of scenery.

      Remember, Topex had to deal with the stress of coaching an independent team whose limitations saw the Fuel Masters lose stars such as Chris Banchero, Calvin Abueva and Matthew Wright over the years.

      Can't really blame the man for leaving.

      AND ONE

      Despite all the chatter that he is heading to the Japan B.League, Robert Bolick is apparently staying in the PBA where he will, at some point, end up with an SMC team.

      Bolick could have been great in Japan but playing overseas just isn't for everyone.

      To save face and make appearances that it's doing some work, the PBA's trade committee modified the Northport-Terrafirma deal into a one-on-one swap.

      CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
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      And it's still so egregiously one-sided.

      SEE ALSO
      SEE ALSO

      NorthPort gets Josuah Munzon, a 27-year old former No. 1 draft pick who can do wonders at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds.

      Terrafirma gets Kevin Ferrer, a 29-year old work in progress who averaged only 6.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game this conference according to the official PBA website.

      You don't need all your brain cells to figure out that this is a horribly lopsided trade.

      There goes the Dyip again, taking the PBA for a ride.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      PHOTO: jerome ascano
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