Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
As a player, Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson established a name for himself as a scrappy, hardworking and tough playmaker willing to do the dirty work. Although he stood just 5-foot-7, Robinson was quicker than the majority of his contemporaries during his prime.
His offensive skills were limited, but Robinson worked more on the less glamorous side of the game—on the defensive end, where he knew he could instantly contribute.
“It’s not always about talent,” says Robinson. “It’s about character and hard work.”
Coaching was a natural transition for Robinson, who also briefly dabbled into sports broadcasting. He went on to coach his alma mater, San Sebastian, before finding himself in Intramuros as coach of the Lyceum Pirates, who have been installed as a favorite in NCAA Season 93 after an early upset of defending champion San Beda.
To some extent, Robinson’s rise as an obscure guard taken at No. 44 in the 2001 Rookie Draft mirrors his coaching path. Robinson didn’t get to play in the PBA until two seasons later when he was given an opportunity by Red Bull.
He spent time in the amateur Philippine Basketball League before he seized the opportunity in the pros, enjoying an extended career which saw him win two titles and earn All Defensive team nod in 2006.
While coaching the Pirates, who became a contender thanks to the entry of the athletic CJ Perez and guards JV and JC Marcelino, Robinson draws from his own experiences as a player who needed to work his way to reach his dreams. He puts a positive spin on each loss, while keeping his players grounded with every win.
But more importantly, Robinson has gone to great lengths to make sure that his players succeed not just in the basketball court but also in the classroom. From surprise classroom visits, to logbooks to be signed by professors to one-on-one sessions with players, Robinson has become more of a father figure to his players.
He has taken to heart his role as a coach, drawing parallelisms with the character of Samuel L. Jackson in the movie “Coach Carter.”
“I only have five holdovers from last year (Mike Nzeusseu, Mer Ayaay, Wilson Baltazar, Edcor Marata and Reymar Caduyac) because I really have to change something that doesn’t coincide with my belief,” Robinson said. “I really pounded a lot on their studies. Again, that’s a way of caring for them. When they know that you are concerned with the other aspects of their lives, it’s easy for them to follow what you want them to do on the court.”
It is more than just staying competitive on the court, but also giving his players a chance to improve their lives when a career in basketball doesn’t work out.
“The reality is basketball is not the answer,” says Robinson. “I’ve played in the PBA. I’ve won championships, but it’s not a guarantee that I’m not going to work for the rest of my life.”
Robinson’s philosophy is slowly paying off, with the Pirates getting off to a 3-0 start.
“It’s not about basketball anymore and I’m trying to help these kids to have a better future,” he says. “The goal is to win the championship, but that’s short term. The vision is for them to become better individuals after their collegiate careers.”