La Salle champion coach Topex Robinson waxes poetic on the off-court trials after the rivalry game scuffle with the Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 87.
DLSU Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson was nothing but grateful to his support system in La Salle after the UAAP closed the book on the alleged spitting incident between himself and UP player Reyland Torres on Saturday, October 12.
The brouhaha, which happened during the third quarter of La Salle’s rivalry match against the Fighting Maroons last weekend, was put to rest by the UAAP Board before the second round opened with a statement issuing their findings on the investigation.
[RELATED: UAAP gives stern warnings to DLSU coach Topex Robinson, UP’s Reyland Torres]
As far as sanctions are concerned – there were none, only stern warnings for both Robinson and Torres but not for the alleged spitting. This was an incident that the UAAP did not touch on due to inconclusive evidence.
Rather, the UAAP warned both parties for unsportsmanlike behavior after exchange involving profane language.
Robinson, who was the hot topic on social media because of the issue, opened up about leaning on his inner circle during the whole endeavor.
“I’m just so fortunate that I have my La Sallian family – the team, the management and all the people who came to me and tried to support me because tao rin po ako. Yung huhusgahan niyo po ako na hindi niyo po muna nakukuha yung totoong istorya, syempre po masakit din para sa akin,” said Robinson after helping La Salle win over UE on Saturday night.
[RELATED: La Salle bucks rare off night from Kevin Quiambao as Green Archers get revenge on UE]
He also urged that the people focus on basketball, as the whole issue had steered the community away from what was happening on the court.
“Nakikiusap lang po ako sana na wag na po tayong maglabas o magbatuhan ng accusations because we’re playing this game of basketball and we just want to enjoy it,” he said.
“Nakikiusap din po ako sa mga tao na tumulong sa akin, maraming maraming salamat po.”
Robinson also thanked those who gave him a chance to explain. But in the same breath, the tactician also called out a certain Mrs. Villanueva, who he said verbally harassed him after the game last October 6.
“Pati po sana ‘yung sumigaw sakin don sa MOA, Mrs. Villanueva, yung pinahiya niyo po ako sa harap ng pamilya ko, sa harap ng mga tao, inakusahan niyo po ako. Kaya ko po di ko po kayo masagot dahil di po talaga ako ang gumawa noon. Sana po pag nagkita po tayo, meron din po sana kayong lakas ng loob na magsabi sakin na mali po yung inakusa nyo sa akin,” said Robinson.
The 49-year-old went on about the trials he faced during the whole situation, but at the end of it, he also addressed the public to also not drag Torres into the issue even more.
Robinson also apologized for what he said in the heat of the moment.
“At ngayon po, nakikiusap rin po sana ako. Sana po wag din po natin akusahan yung bata. Dahil di nyo po kakayanin yung pinagdaanan ko. Sana po bigyan po rin siya ng pang-unawa sa mga nagawa niya dahil alam ko po gaano kahirap yun,” he said.
“Muli po, humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa bata dahil po sa nagawa kong pagbibigay sa kanya at sana po magkaroon ng chance na makalimutan na po natin to at sawa na po tayo sa kakabato ng bintang sa ibang tao. Sana po maging lesson ito sa lahat na kung wala po sana kayong sure na proof, wag po kayong mag-akusa kasi napasakit po.”
The UAAP had said that Robinson responded to Torres during that game in a way that was “unbecoming of a coach”.
Finally, Robinson also defended his honor and said that he was simply doing things in the La Salle way – for God.
“Iningatan ko po yung pangalan ko nang napakatagal. Kung nasaan po ako ngayon, wala po akong dinayang tao. Nanalo po ako ng games dahil po ginawa ko yung tama. Para po akusahan nyo ako na masamang tao… Pero pinapatawad ko po kayo,” said Robinson.
“I will always live by what we always pray at La Salle… I will continue to do all my actions for the love of you.”
La Salle and UP meet anew later on in the second round on November 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.