TOPEX Robinson didn't shy away from the topic of having two MVP contenders in Kevin Quiambao (#1, 78.143 SPs) and Evan Nelle (#3, 74.167 SPs.) onboard for the Archers.
The La Salle coaching debutant made sure to acknowledge his ace pair and set the record straight before the team's second round opener versus UST.
READ: Kevin Quiambao double-double highlights La Salle romp vs UST
"What’s good about our conversation before the start of the game versus UST, we hit the elephant in the room. It’s not only Kevin (Quiambao) that’s there (in the MVP race), it’s also Evan (Nelle).
"I would be a hypocrite kung hindi ko sasabihin ‘yun if I’m the one who’s on that list. We opened it up that there’s a possibility (for one of them to be MVP), ‘wag na tayo magbulag-bulagan para at least alam ng lahat na the reason why Kevin and Evan are in the top five is because of everybody," said Robinson.
Such noteworthy individual feats for Quiambao and Nelle attest to how the squad's individual starpower has translated to a collectively strong unit.
"It’s a testament of how good we are as individuals but also a challenge of how we’re gonna make that advantage of having those players to compensate and blend well with the rest of our players," Robinson explained.
At the end of the day, relishing the chance to play the game at the highest level remains Robinson's utmost priority for his wards and the rest of all successes will follow.
"Ang constant reminder lang namin is don’t let the pressure of this season, the pressure from the fans stop us from enjoying the game of basketball. ‘Yun ‘yung ayaw namin mawala just because of individual accolades and the pressure of representing DLSU," the La Salle mentor said.
"The guys are really enjoying each other, playing for each other, so ‘yun ‘yung mas importante sa’min and obviously getting the individual awards and getting those team awards. We’re clear of what we want to do."
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