La Salle builds path toward ‘North Star’ in preseason

Kevin Quiambao (No. 17) has been solid for the Archers in the preseason tournament. UAAP MEDIA

La Salle has been on a tear in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, but new coach Topex Robinson knows exactly what that means at this point of the Green Archers’ campaign.

“At any time, this could really flip,” he told the Inquirer when asked about his charges’ unbeaten run, which has stretched to six games on Monday after a 107-86 rout of National University at San Juan Arena.

“We just keep on building in the hope of having a solid foundation,” he added.

Robinson, who was appointed to the La Salle head coaching post at the turn of the year, stressed that the ultimate goal is to put together a sustainable basketball program while instilling humility within its corners.

“The end goal is to build a program that’s going to last and we don’t want to feel good about ourselves, so we make sure that we’re making each other grounded,” he said.

The new University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season won’t be on until around September, when it was traditionally staged before the pandemic, which is why Robinson is keeping his outlook tempered.

“That’s so broad,” he said of the gap between the preseason and the actual showcase, where La Salle is shooting for no less than another championship after missing out on the Final Four last season.

“The UAAP is still so far away, but that’s really our ‘North Star’—not only focusing on the season but way beyond,” he said.

The Green Archers are looking like a capable bunch right now, with cornerstone and Gilas cadet Kevin Quiambao playing splendidly in the summer league thus far.

“If we stay on track, winning is going to be a byproduct,” said Robinson, whose crew will try to stay perfect when it battles Faith College this Wednesday. “We’ll keep holding on to our North Star, which is inspiring a lot of people with what we do.”