UAAP: Topex Robinson takes blame for La Salle loss to Ateneo

La Salle coach Topex Robinson.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Topex Robinson took the blame after La Salle absorbed its first loss of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at the hands of its archrival and defending champion Ateneo, 77-72, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“It was my fault. I was outcoached tonight. We move on,” said Robinson after his first UAAP rivalry game. “They just want it more than we do. For me, it was bad coaching. I didn’t make the right adjustments, I didn’t control my emotions. So that’s one of the learnings for me.”

The Green Archers failed to stop Mason Amos and Kai Ballungay from hitting the big baskets down the stretch as the Blue Eagles earned their first win of the season to force a four-way tie at 1-1 with Adamson and University of the East.

“I made bad decisions down the line. I could have done better. I put these players in the situation to fail. Just like every loss, I’ll take full responsibility for this loss. I want to make sure that after this, I’ll put these guys in a better situation to win,” said the new La Salle coach. “It’s part of taking ownership of this game. Everybody played well… As I told them, let’s not take the fun and joy out of this. What doesn’t kill us will only make us stronger.”

Kevin Quiambao led the charge for La Salle with 17 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks amid his four fouls, while Evan Nelle had 15 points but had a rough 4-of-16 shooting night.

Robinson vows to lick their wounds after the tough loss as La Salle battles the winless University of Santo Tomas on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We were talking in the dugout, good thing it happened now. We just have to take the lessons from that. Ateneo was the better team tonight. They did a good job. They never gave up,” the rookie UAAP coach said.

“We’re not gonna stay here. We just gonna keep falling forward. What’s important for us is the opportunity to get back this coming Saturday. Those lessons that taught us this evening humble us…We’re gonna bicker. We’re gonna fight. We’re gonna yell at each other. At the end of the day, we’re gonna be together,” he added.