CHICAGO - Hard at work since taking over the La Salle program last January 19, you'd think coach Topex Robinson would finally get some sleep.
Well, not quite.
Coach Topex still has the napping habits of an insomniac, addicted to work and no time to spare to enjoy his current success.
When I caught up with him one early morning this week, Robinson barely had 40 winks after watching game film overnight. As soon as he sprung out of bed, he was off to class.
Unbeknownst to many, Robinson is taking up Sports Management at DLSU. He is in his second term and is probably the only UAAP student-coach to lead a team from a school where he is also studying.
"It's a surreal feeling going into the Final Four representing a school that has a rich basketball history and loyal supporters," he said.
Topex also explained the complexity and demanding nature of his job.
"I knew what I got myself into. It's all about building a championship program. Coaching DLSU is a blessing and a curse. It will challenge you down to your core."
LOVE, NOT HATE, QUIETS THE DOUBTERS.
After sweeping the second round following a rough start, I gave Robinson the opportunity to clap back at his critics. With no traffic there, he chose the high road.
"My loyalty is to my school and my vision is to honor the DLSU teams that paved the way for us to be regarded as one of the best programs in the country. They will continue to inspire me to be the best that I can be. Love wins."
Kevin Quiambao is expected to run away with the MVP trophy, so I asked Topex if his do-it-all star is God's best gift to La Salle basketball ever.
"La Salle has produced basketball greats in the past and definitely in the future. What I'm sure of is that Kevin has etched his name on the list."
While the highlight of the Final Four is the duel among the best hoopers in the UAAP, it also features the battle among mental heavyweights on the sidelines.
So, what's it like to be in an arena with his co-equals, I probed him.
"It's an honor to be sharing the court with these great basketball minds. They are the reason why I can't stop eating, sleeping and breathing basketball," Topex said of the three other gifted tacticians in the Final Four.
A WOUNDED FOE WITH A BIG BITE.
La Salle's obstacle in a bid to earn a finals berth are the NU Bulldogs, who arrived at this point with monumental struggles, dropping their last two games.
But the Bulldogs are tenacious and have proven time and time again that they have the facility to rise above adversity.
"We're on a streak but that doesn't mean that we are doing everything right. We are new in the Final Four so we want to make sure that we will come out there confident by being prepared."
Asked for any predictions, coach Topex said he'd leave that aspect of the game to the pundits.
Well, I'm going to oblige him then.
Without the injured Steve Nash Enriguez, NU faces an uphill struggle.
Judging from how they lost their last two elimination round assignments, 68-62 versus Adamson and 79-57 versus UP, I have a sense of what will happen this afternoon.
The Green Archers will blow the doors wide open late and will dart a Finals ticket for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
