TOPEX Robinson was once tasked to bring the UAAP men’s basketball crown back to Taft in his first year as head coach.
As difficult as it seemed at first, the La Salle mentor was up to the task, and he proved more than capable as theGreen Archers denied University of the Philippines its second shot to restore lost glory, one that handed Robinson his first collegiate championship after years of heartbreak.
One year later in Season 87, the same challenge beckons: a title rematch with the Fighting Maroons.
READ: La Salle wastes no time following UP in UAAP Season 87 finals
Same goal, fresh outlook
To win it all again remains the ultimate goal for La Salle, more so against the same opposition.
Unlike the last time where the pressure’s all on Robinson, there’s a whole new thrust in his pursuit of a second crown: to give the best sendoff to graduating senior Joshua David.
“We headed into the season honoring our seniors. Sabi nga namin, especially Josh [David], it’s really a blessing to have him. The only way to honor him is to extend his season, so nangyari na ‘yun,” Robinson shared to SPIN.ph.
“We’re pinning our hopes that we’re gonna win another one. We’re just gonna keep on fighting and keep on playing for that [because] just the experience of playing in the finals will help our program moving into the future.”
There’ll always be pressure for a champion coach to win even more championships and build a championship culture altogether.
Robinson isn’t letting himself be tripped off by any of that.
“It’s never gonna change. It’s what we signed up for, representing DLSU. We know [there’s] always gonna be pressure,” Robinson said.
“No game for us wasn’t like a championship. It’s something that we always lived by. Kumbaga, we eat that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s always gonna be there but we want to enjoy it,” he added.
“The only thing we’re courageous about is that we have everyone on the same page.”
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