UAAP: Topex Robinson stays resolute as La Salle presses on without Amos, Baclaan

De La Salle head coach Topex Robinson could not help but reflect after guiding the Green Archers to a much-needed morale boosting win over defending champion UP Fighting Maroons.

On Sunday, the La Salle tactician made it clear that they were not to be counted out despite the setbacks they have been subjected to for the past couple of weeks.

The roller coaster campaign saw the Taft side lose Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan to similar knee injuries in their games against National University and University of the East, respectively.

Now sitting at a 4-3 record in the standings, Robinson emphasized that the team has made it their mission to make Amos and Baclaan’s time in La Salle worthwhile.

Both players transferred from other UAAP schools and had to serve residency periods, as well as endure reduced playing time, on top of now being sidelined due to injury.

Should they fail to return in the coming weeks and the remaining Archers also suffer an early exit, both players will be left with just Season 89 to redeem themselves.

“We just talked about that in our huddle that there are only two groups of people that have something to say about our situation. Those that are feeling sorry for us because we lost two of our main guys and those people that are counting us out because we’re undermanned and we’re really being challenged. But yes, [we have] no Kean, no Mason. But also no excuses,” said Robinson.

“Of course it was really hard to lose those two guys. They are playing on borrowed time because of the [eligibility] rules. And it just feels bad that we get to lose them in this battle. But as a reminder to everyone, the only way we could have them back is if we’re gonna make it all the way. Hopefully, by God’s grace, they will be okay by that time. That’s always been the call of the team. We’re doing this not just only for ourselves as individuals, but also for those two players that we’ve lost,” he added.

The win sent La Salle to a three-way tie with UP and Ateneo at the third spot as they all jockey for positions heading into the second round where the race to the top is expected to be tighter.

“I told them whatever the result is, as long as we just give it our best. We know that we’re gonna go up against defending champions. And it’s always gonna be a test of character. We always talk about being better people, better Archers. There’s still a lot of games to be played. So this is not the end all be all for us. It’s just the end of the first round,” said Robinson.

“We cannot look at the whole piece of the pie right now. We’re just trying to look at whoever is in front of us. We still have a lot of work to do. Losing Kean and Mason really kind of shocked the dynamics of this team. But we know somebody’s gonna step up. Doy Dungo stepped up, Vhoris Marasigan stepped up. Luis here really played what he’s supposed to play. That’s what we’re really looking at right now,” he added.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News