Teamwork with a capital ‘T’: La Salle recalls rocky road to UAAP crown

De La Salle University winning the Season 88 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball title was nothing short of a miracle. 

From their rollercoaster campaign into the elimination round to injury crisis on Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan, Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson said they all had to stick together to get through the turbulent season. 

La Salle dethroned University of the Philippines (UP), 80-72 in Game 3 of the finals last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s the hardest (championship) to win. I think one of the big keys for this win is these guys really helped me out a lot. Yes, I might be the head coach, but I’m so fortunate to have all those (other) coaches,” Robinson said.

“Having those guys around really is a blessing to me. I couldn’t cling on to anything anymore, but I was just so thankful again and was praying my heart out.”

“There are times I could be vulnerable to these guys and tell them that I’m tired, I’m scared, I’m worried, I have so much anxiety.”

With the support of Amos, Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Vhoris Marasigan and finals Most Valuable Player Mike Phillips, Robinson said he was okay with being vulnerable in front of the team, knowing they can be trusted.

Moments after winning the title, the 50-year-old tactician broke down in tears in front of the La Salle dugout.

“They always carried for me. It’s always nice to have an environment where you can be yourself,” Robinson said.

“I was telling them earlier, this has been the most nervous I have been in my life.”

La Salle had one of the toughest roads ahead of winning a UAAP championship. 

Baclaan and Amos were initially deemed out for the rest of the season after suffering from medial collateral ligament injuries before getting cleared just in time for the playoffs.

As the Archers finished the elimination round with an 8-6 win-loss record, they had to take down top seed National University twice to book another chance at the finals, facing the Maroons once again.

La Salle defeated NU in Game 1, 74-70, on 10 December before dropping Game 2, 63-66, last Sunday to arrange a winner-take-all Game 3 at the Big Dome a couple of days back.

For Phillips, who averaged 13.3 points and 13.7 rebounds in this best-of-three championship series, he was more than happy to not only end his collegiate career with a title but see himself grow since his rookie days back in Season 84.

“I came in, I just remember, the first thing that was in my mind was Season 84. I saw Balti (Justine Baltazar), Kurt Lojera, they were my seniors back then and I just remember their faces, their pain that they had,” said Phillips as he recalled not making the Final Four in 2022.

“All throughout my years, I kind of shifted to being that senior. I saw my rookies. They were whispering to me, praying for us the whole game.”

“From not making the Final Four, to making the Final Four, to being a champion, to losing the Finals — and now to winning it finally. God couldn’t have created a better story. I’m just so happy that He used me as His servant.”

Amen.