HEAD COACH: Topex Robinson (second season)
LAST SEASON: 11-3 (champion)
HOLDOVERS: Kevin Quiambao, Michael Phillips, CJ Austria, Joshua David, Raven Cortez, Earl Abadam, EJ Gollena
SUBTRACTIONS: Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Francis Escandor, Ben Phillips, Jonnel Policarpio, Joaqui Manuel
ADDITIONS: Doy Dungo, Alex Konov, Matthew Rubico, Lian Ramiro (Arkansas-Fort Smith), Henry Agunanne (CEU)
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TOPEX Robinson is self-aware enough to know that whenever he speaks, he tends to be repetitive.
After all, teaching and focusing on “the process” is something that he’s keen on talking about – again and again.
But though some might feel that he’s already sounding like a broken record, he really wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s really something that you really have to be invested in: the process,” he said. “For others, it might be tiring, but it really fuels my fire because once you build something that works, the challenge will always be how can you keep it alive.”
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PHOTO: UAAP
And after what La Salle accomplished in UAAP Season 86, Robinson has no reason to change his tone. Don’t fix what’s not broken, right?
“Nakakaadik siya [winning a championship] and it keeps you going,” Robinson spoke of the euphoria of winning a crown for the Green Archers – his first as a head coach after failed attempts in the past with San Sebastian and Lyceum in the NCAA, then Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA.
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“It’s something I’ve yearned for as a coach, and we as a group really worked hard to get, and now that [we’re champions], it’s addicting.”
READ: By becoming a DLSU student, Topex turns into best teacher to his players
Since then, all La Salle did was win, win, win, no matter what – from preseason tilts, most notable of which were the PBA D-League and Pinoyliga Cup, all the way to Japan where it claimed the World University Basketball Series throne.
And with UAAP Season 87 about to roll on, the process begins anew yet the target in Taft never changes: to be recognized as champions again.
Championship core
Kevin Quiambao, the reigning Season and Finals MVP and undoubted best collegiate player, is back for one more go-round with the green and white.
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And with him is an almost intact lineup which includes veterans Michael Phillips, CJ Austria, and Joshua David, all of whom are driven to deliver a back-to-back.
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PHOTO: UAAP Media Bureau
Turning from hunter to hunted, the Green Archers understand that they now have a large target on their back, even with the departures of Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Jonnel Policarpio, and Ben Phillips.
Robinson, however, argued that their hunger has not changed one bit.
“It’s more upping the challenge, keeping the guys on their toes. It’s what you asked for. Whether you’re on top or the bottom of the spectrum, there’s always gonna be pressure and you’re not gonna complain about being in this position,” he said.
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“Everybody will just try to keep on challenging you and it’s a humbling experience for us kasi no team won’t play their best when they play against the defending champions and they’re, for sure, gonna give you a good fight.”
La Salle understands that it’s now the barometer of the UAAP and it’s up to the Green Archers to not just live up to the lofty expectations placed on their shoulders, but to continue on the path Robinson steered them towards: aspiring for greatness.
PHOTO: Filoil Preseason
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“That’s something that you always strive for, and that’s something that we always try to challenge each other (on) because that’s gonna be the story of Season 87 for us,” he said.
And if they do? Don’t be surprised to see La Salle lift that championship trophy. Again.
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The La Salle Green Archers’ first assignment in Season 87 is against the National U Bulldogs on Sunday, September 8 at the Araneta Coliseum.
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Publish date : 2024-09-04 20:49:00
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