CHICAGO - La Salle head coach Topex Robinson was scurrying around Tokyo when I got hold of him on Tuesday afternoon.
"I'm outside the hotel now buying pasalubong," he told me.
I didn't ask what goodies he bought but it couldn't have been better than the gift he will bring home to the La Salle community: The 2024 World University Basketball Series (WUBS) title.
READ La Salle sweeps WUBS with rout of Korea University
In an appetizer event before the main course - the upcoming UAAP tournament - the Green Archers did not just show up in Japan. They had a show of force.
Before destroying Korea University in the final, 101-86, the Green Archers edged WUBS defending champion Taipei's National Chengchi University in overtime, 87-82, in the semis and battered Indonesia's Perbanas Institute in the quarterfinals, 117-71.
A high-grade flame thrower couldn't have done a better job of razing through the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Japan's capital.
TRIFECTA.
Along with conquests at the PBA D-League and Pinoyliga, the WUBS is the third 'chip La Salle has collected leading into the UAAP campaign.
Are the Green Archers ready for their title defense?
"We are still a work in progress and we still have a lot to improve on in order for us to be at our best in this coming Season 87," Robinson said, even though a quick eye test reveals that his team is lighting up the charts.
Losing six players from last year's title-run, an exodus that included big-time contributors Evan Nelle, Ben Philips, Francis Escandor and Jonnel Policarpio, has been quite a challenge for the coaching staff.
Nelle's clutch playmaking and Phillips' leadership will be missed but Robinson is confident that those holes have been plugged somehow.
"We currently have a good set of guards, and with his examples, Ben created leaders in our co-captains Mike (Phillips) and Josh (David).
KQ IS STILL THE MAN.
Through all the changes, though, it remains clear that the burden of La Salle's destiny will fall heavily on the shoulders of Kevin Quiambao.
"KQ is one of our leaders not just because he is talented but because of his work ethic and discipline. He sets the standard for what our program is all about."
Given his much-documented basketball activity during the lengthy off season, Robinson says he isn't worried of any burn out. And neither is he losing sleep over Quaimbao's workload at La Salle.
"He will have enough support from his teammates so he doesn't have to carry all the load," Robinson said of Quiambao who snagged MVP honors in Japan after averaging 15.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game at the WUBS.
Just 19 months after taking over a storied program that is illuminated by 10 UAAP titles, Robinson has scaled the mountain with one championship on his back and a Coach of the Year award on his back pocket.
A thinker and unifier, we knew Topex Robinson was going to scale new heights. We just didn't know how quickly he would get there.
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