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| After barely making the Final Four on the final day of the eliminations, La Salle reclaimed the UAAP throne. Joseph Sanvictores (file photo) |
MANILA—After enduring its worst start under coach Topex Robinson, dropping three of the first five games, and facing injuries and suspensions along the way, doubts lingered over whether De La Salle could reach the finish line in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
But the Green Archers never wavered.
They overcame challenges by defeating fabled rival Ateneo to claim the final playoff spot, hurdling twice-to-beat National University in the Final Four, and bouncing back from a narrow Game 2 Finals loss to the University of the Philippines to reclaim the throne.
Finishing 8-6 in the eliminations, De La Salle became only the second No. 4 seed in the Final Four era to win the championship.
Reflecting on the journey back to the top, Robinson acknowledged that the triumph would not have been possible without the support of his coaching staff.
“Actually, it's the hardest, you know, to win. And, we were joking around, the coaches were taking up our masterals for the past three years. But, it's just always going to make us better as a team,” said Robinson.
“I think one of the big keys for this win is these guys really helped me out a lot. Yes, I might be the head coach, but I'm so fortunate to have all those coaches—coach Caloy Garcia, coach Gian (Nazario), coach Mon (Jose), coach Oliver (Bunyi), coach JB (Sison), even coach Renren (Ritualo) and Marlon (Celis). I guess having those guys around really is a blessing to me. Because there are times that I could be vulnerable to these guys and tell them that I'm tired.”
“You know, I'm scared, I'm worried, I have so much anxiety. And they're always caring for you. You know, it's always nice to have an environment where you can be yourself,” he added.
The Finals decider proved to be Robinson’s biggest test in his collegiate coaching career, with the Fighting Maroons determined to remain on top.
“I was telling earlier, this has been the most nervous I was in my life. Not only as a coach, but also as a player. Because, you know, you're going to go up against the best team in college,” Robinson said.
“You know, you're going to be up against the defending champions. And, they really got our number heading into Game 3. But actually, the adjustment we made in Game 3 was Jacob (Cortez)'s recommendation. I packed it up, and I said, 'What did I say about "gamble"?' The best team, I mean, the team that will gamble, will win the championship. Who would have thought that we're going to go three games? And what's important, I guess, is the trust.”
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, hindi na bale na matalo tayo sa sugal, kaysa nagiingat tayo. And I guess, you know, these guys are really a blessing to me. You know, they really made my life, my coaching so easy because of the trust that they give to me,” he added.
The timely return of Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan, who had both sustained MCL injuries midway through the season, gave the Green Archers a boost and eased the burden on their teammates.
One of those teammates, Cortez, stepped up in the late eliminations and Final Four while Baclaan worked toward full recovery.
“Again, I'm so happy for Mason. I'm so happy for Kean. We really committed that we said to ourselves that in order for Mason and Kian to be helping us, we have to go all the way to the Finals,” Robinson said.
With this championship, he became the third coach—after Derrick Pumaren (Seasons 52-53, 1989-90) and Franz Pumaren (Seasons 61-64, 1998-2001 and Season 70, 2007)—to win two or more titles for the Taft-based program.
For Finals MVP Mike Phillips, who closed his De La Salle career with two titles, the journey carried a purpose beyond winning championships.
“I just want to say, you know, this has just been an amazing five years. All glory goes to Jesus Christ, you know. And, I don't want my name to be remembered at all. I just want to say, I'm just a vessel,” said Phillips, who endured heartbreaks in his first two seasons before making it to the Finals.
“I'm part of something bigger. Jesus used us, Jesus used me, hopefully to bring more people to his name. You know, we play to inspire, you know. Earl [Abadam] told me, he said, Christ Mode is better than Beast Mode. Because when you're playing for your faith, when you're playing for Jesus Christ, when you're playing for others, that's when you really, you know, become. You know, just, hindi ka mapapagod kasi you're not playing para sa sarili mo, naglalaro ka para sa isang malaking bagay,” he added.
