La Salle Green Archers’ champion coach Topex Robinson. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Reigning UAAP champion coach Topex Robinson joins his La Salle star Kevin Quiambao and Francis Escandor in Strong Group Athletics’ campaign in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship taking place from January 19 to 28, 2024, at Al Nasr Club in Dubai.
Strong Group Athletics on Saturday announced that Robinson, who won his first title in his rookie season with the Green Archers in the UAAP, will be working hand-in-hand as deputy to head coach Charles Tiu.
“I’ve talked with Coach Topex about working together in the past, even before he got the DLSU job. We are good friends, and I am sure he will add a lot of value to us. He is a champion coach,” said Tiu.
Robinson, who will join the Strong Group coaching staff which also has former Bay Area coach Brian Goorjian serving as team consultant, will try to translate their Season 86 success with reigning MVP Quiambao and Escandor bolstering the Dwight Howard-led team.
“DLSU just won the college championship, so it made sense for us to bring in some of their players and merge them with ours at Benilde,” said Tiu, the College of Saint Benilde coach. “After all, we are One La Salle.”
La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Quiambao is thrilled to play for Strong Group for the second straight year as he teams up with former NBA players Howard, Andray Blatche, Andre Roberson, and McKenzie Moore.
“Super happy na mapasama ulit sa team knowing yung roster is super loaded and talented. Yung gutom na makabawi is nandiyan para sa ‘min dahil yung league nga na sasalihan natin is best of the best,” said Quiambao. “Bibigay ko yung best ko every game and kung anong matutulong ko sa team para makuha yung goal natin na magchampion, gagawin ko.”
Tiu is also fielding his Blazers Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez as locals with Quiambao and Escandor. in the invitational tournament.
“We also wanted to give our newest Benilde recruits the experience of playing overseas and competing at a high level. So, we decided to include Ynot, Sanchez, and Liwag,” the Strong Group coach said.
“Escandor is a good shooter, and we need a guy like him who can spot up and knock down shots since most of the teams will be focused on defending imports.”
“They will have to fight for their minutes as they also play the same position as our imports. But this is good for their overall growth as players and is part of my thrust at CSB to continue developing guys as much as we can,” he added.
Strong Group, led by Renaldo Balkman, Nick Young, and Shabazz Muhammad, was eliminated in the quarterfinals after falling to Al Riyadi, 106-97, last year.