‘Student-coach’ Topex Robinson reaps fruits of sacrifice with another UAAP crown for La Salle

La Salle coach Topex Robinson

UAAP Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippine — La Salle’s author in essaying another UAAP championship wasn’t just a mere coach. Like all of his players juggling mid-terms and finals in classrooms and arenas, the man behind was a winning student-coach.

Blazing a path like no other in the collegiate world filled with student-athletes, here comes a student-coach in Topex Robinson savoring another UAAP title not only with his Green Archers—but more importantly with his classmates.

And for him, the bond that extends from the roaring and gargantuan domes to the solemn, intimate four-sided classrooms in Taft was the secret as La Salle capped a sweet redemption over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 finals.

“It’s really hard to juggle studying and coaching but just like our players who also sacrifice attending classes and being basketball players everyday, I also make my sacrifices,” Robinson, still in tears, told The STAR after an emotional 80-72 win in Game 3 before 24,339 fans at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to go 2-1 in their trilogy as the country’s new rivals.

At the buzzer, the 48-year-old Robinson didn’t join the on-court celebration with the Green Archers coaching staff and players under the bright lights, thousands of fans and confettis, to let it all out just outside the locked dugout—sitting, crying, praying with his heads down basked alone in emotions and fulfillment.

A third-year student of sports management in La Salle, Robinson sacrificed taking a leave of absence this term to focus on La Salle’s redemption tour.

To say that it paid off was an understatement as Robinson put a premium on being a “La Sallian”. More than just coaching a La Salle squad in any sport, being a Green Archer for him requires being on—literally on court with a playboard and basketball and inside the classroom with his pen and notebooks.

Unknown to most pundits and fans, Robinson enrolled as a student right after signing as the new head coach of La Salle in 2023, two decades after failing to finish his Mass Communication degree in San Sebastian College-Recoletos for a chance to earn for his family in the PBA.

The Olongapo native, a 44th pick in the 2001 PBA Draft, has won two titles for La Salle since then but the bigger feat was continuing his studies in the middle of it all, sharing the classroom with two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao, EJ Gollena and Earl Abadam in his first year.

Last term, among his classmates were Jacob Cortez and Mason Amos, two of his trusted guns after transferring from San Beda and Ateneo, respectively, this season.

“It’s to understand kung saan nanggagaling ang players ko as student-athletes. It’s an enjoyable journey. It’s never easy but I’m happy that I get to be part not only of their basketball career but also their college life,” he beamed after delivering La Salle’s 11th title in its 19th finals appearance, the most in the league.

“We really enjoy being with each other, trying to play around and at the same time, being serious in our classes. May pressure din kasi pag di ka pumasok. We also make sure na we compete also in our attendance so walang takas.”

Robinson only won one championship as a student-athlete during the Golden Stags’ historic NCAA five-peat in the late 90s. As a student coach, he has already clinched two after failing to win a single title as coach as well for Baste and Lyceum in the NCAA.

The ultimate goal off the court for the father of three kids, however, is finally holding that La Salle diploma and hoisting his toga up in the air like a jump ball.

“It’s been my dream ever since. I’m now studying at my dream school and I want to get a degree. It’s really gonna be something not only for me but for my generations to come,” added Robinson, wishing to finish his degree in two years for a fitting simultaneous graduation with his youngest son also in La Salle.

“Learning really never stops. Always be open to learning and always have a mindset that your cup is empty. Huli akong nag-aral 20 years ago pa so it’s been difficult and different but I’m happy to get to learn things again to make myself valuable and to also secure my future. Getting a college degree is something that’s gonna secure me and my family for the rest of life, hopefully.”

Before the UAAP Season 88, Robinson—also a former coach in the PBA with Alaska and Phoenix—signed a fresh three-year extension in July as La Salle’s coach, earning the nod and trust of the Green Archers management to win as many titles as he can, including a title defense in Season 89.

But that can wait as Robinson, with six terms left before graduating, has already enrolled for the next term in Taft starting in January to become a full-time student anew in a bid to earn the nod of his La Salle professors this time around.

And that’s what makes him a bona fide La Sallian student-coach. Well, now a two-time champion student-coach.

“Sisipagan ko mag-aral. Ta-tiyagaan ko talaga. I embrace the community and the culture of the school. I have to make sure that I belong. I’m honored and grateful to be part of it,” he smiled.