La Salle coach Topex Robinson after his UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball final loss to UP. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Just moments after La Salle was kicked from its UAAP men’s basketball tournament throne, coach Topex Robinson has already begun looking forward to how the Green Archers will redeem themselves in the ’88 season.
“In the next two weeks, it will be preparation for the 88 season for us,” Robinson said after La Salle was dethroned by the University of the Philippines (UP) with a 66-62 victory in Game 3 on Sunday evening.
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“We’re excited and as long as we know in our heart that we did our best, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.” We played it until the final buzzer and we did it like a real La Sallien should do. We just kept fighting,” he added.
And none of that enthusiasm for what’s next has diminished, even a day after program cornerstone Kevin Quiambao announced he would not return for a fourth year with the Archers.
“I just thanked (Quiambao) for his service. That’s how it is. It’s no surprise that this is his last season, but we’ve prepared well for this,” Robinson said.
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Part of that preparation will be having guys who can replace Quiambao, the versatile and decorated forward who spearheaded La Salle’s championship run in the ’86 season.
Topping this list of talents to be activated is former Ateneo forward Mason Amos, Quiambao’s teammate in Gilas Pilipinas, who took up residency in Season 87 after giving up his address in Katipunan.
Former National University guard Kean Baclaan, a close friend of Quiambao who helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back bronze medals, will also return to the fold along with former San Beda star Jacob Cortez and Diliman’s Luis Pablo. All three redshirted for residency this season.
An exciting future
“There are these guys coming in and it’s nice to see that the future of the program is still going to be exciting,” Robinson said. “Having these guys come in, it’s something to look forward to and be excited about for the ’88 season.”
Quiambao had earlier backed away from making an announcement on his decision after the heartbreaking loss to UP in the deciding third game of the men’s basketball final, saying he needed to rest first. But not even 24 hours later, he confirmed via a social media post that he had played his final game for the Taft-based team.
“Thank you for 3 wonderful seasons, lots of sweat, tears and sacrifices,” Quiambao wrote. “Coach Topex (Robinson) and Coach Migs Aytona, I love you and thank you for unlocking and freeing KQ.”
“Thank you for believing in me and pushing me to reach my potential. I am so grateful and blessed to have you guys. That being said, my college career is coming to an end, I will pursue my NBA dream and begin my journey by playing professional ball in the Goyang Sono SkyGunners (in the Korean Basketball League) and developing my game even more” , he added.
Robinson said he appreciated Quiambao’s time with La Salle.
“He just gave us until the last buzzer and never gave up,” said the second-year UAAP coach. “He will always be remembered as one of the great Sallians, I suppose one of the best to ever wear this jersey.”
La Salle will also no longer have the services of Lian Ramiro and Joshua David.
And when leaving the Archers fort, Quiambao said his goodbyes and, until his last match, he never lacked words to salute the effort made by his teammates.
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“I am proud of my teammates. Their hard work since day one has been enormous and we have endured a lot throughout the season. I love them all,” he said before warning the rest of the league. “I’m excited about the future and (the players coming in). They’ll be scary next season for sure. INQ
