La Salle head coach Topex Robinson reminds the Green Archers that the job isn’t done despite taking the top-seed in UAAP Season 87.
The DLSU Green Archers remain grounded even after assuring themselves of the best record in UAAP Season 87, accomplishing the feat after winning over the UP Fighting Maroons, 77-66, in their second-round encounter on Sunday, November 10.
Though they are the hottest team in the men’s tournament right now, having won nine games in a row, the season is still far from over with the Final Four and Finals still weeks ahead of the defending champs.
Head coach Topex Robinson, who was able to lead the Green Archers to the crown in just his first year of coaching in the UAAP, reminded his players that anything can happen in the coming days — especially considering how competitive the season has been.
[RELATED: Team effort works for La Salle in completing elims sweep vs UP: 'It's about everybody’]
“Well, we've talked about this prior to this game, and we're trying to really visualize and see the scenarios that's going to happen. We reminded ourselves that being number one doesn't make you champions,” said Robinson after Sunday's win.
“It's just a testament of the things that you need to do in order to really get that momentum heading into the Final Four. So it's going to be a big challenge,” he added.
With the elimination round already in its final stretch, Robinson is also seeing more contenders still vying for spots in the Final Four — with the no. 3 and no. 4 spots still to be decided.
As the fates continue to turn for the other teams, the defending champions are focusing on what they control: themselves.
“Another thing is the other teams are really picking up. There's still a mad scramble for that number three and four spots. So we don't have control of what's going to happen with those teams, but we have control of what we're going to do,” said Robinson.
“We committed a lot of mistakes in this game [against UP], and we're always making sure that those winnings will not hide our mistakes and our flaws, because that's something that we really have to work on coming into the Final Four. So ang samin lang, always be grateful.”
[RELATED: Red-hot La Salle asserts mastery over UP to clinch top seed of UAAP Season 87]
Robinson further expounded that they are also going to play with respect and honor especially during their final game of eliminations where they face NU later this week.
Despite it being a non-bearing game on their side, it is all about mutual respect for their opponents that drive the Green Archers.
“Mike [Phillips] always reminds us about being humble as well, and try to make sure that we honor and respect everything that we play heading into the Final Four,” he said.
La Salle will exhibit this respect, especially, with their rotation when they go up against the Bulldogs. With a lengthy break also expected after their next game before the Final Four commences, Robinson has no qualms with fielding his stars against the win-hungry Bulldogs.
“We always strive for greatness and, you know, we honor the basketball, we honor the game, it's been good to us and short-handling or short-handling these guys is unfair to them,” said Robinson, when asked if he plans to use his role players more considering the game.
“So, we always respect and honor the game and it's been good to us. So, we're always going to come out playing for our school, you know, playing for the alumni that always watch our game and it's unfair to them if we're not going to play our best. You know, it's always going to be bringing out our best, you know, for our alma mater,” he added.
La Salle returns to action for a 10-win streak finish to the elimination round when the champs face the NU Bulldogs at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday, November 13.