ONE of San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson’s hunches in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament came to reality on Monday when Mapua registered its breakthrough victory in Season 90.
What he didn’t foresee was it would be against his team.
“I already saw it coming. Mapua was bound to win,” Robinson admitted after the Stags’ 81-89 loss to the Cardinals. “Their last three games could’ve gone either way.”
“Natapat lang talaga sa amin (ngayon).”
Robinson stressed the Cardinals should not be overlooked by other teams, evidenced by how they performed against the Stags on the way to snapping a six-game losing streak.
“Don’t be deceived by their standing because Mapua’s really a dangerous team and they proved themselves against us.”
It was déjà vu of sorts as the Cardinals’ first victory -- and second overall -- last season also came against the Stags, a 104-99 overtime decision.
After that, the Stags went back on winning track on the way to clinching their first Final Four berth in the post-Pinatubo Trio era.
And that’s what Robinson hopes would happen anew.
“Hopefully it’s déjà vu again,” he said.
But the Stags have to get back on the drawing board right away as they face on Friday a defending champion San Beda side that’s also fresh from an upset loss against College of St. Benilde.
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