LYCEUM will be just fine even after losing several key players and coach Topex Robinson.
This was stressed yesterday by assistant coach Jeff Perlas, who is hoping the Pirates’ young players can blend well with the veterans.
“We have promising young players that can complement our veterans. Hopefully, we can train soon,” Perlas told Malaya-Business Insight.
“Nasa rebuilding stage kami since madami ang nawala,” he added.
The Pirates have yet to name a new strategist since Robinson was tapped recently to replace Louie Alas in an interim capacity as coach of Phoenix in the PBA.
Perlas said the other Lyceum assistant coaches such as Rommel Adducul, Gilbert Malabanan, Ricky Reyes and Kevin Lacap are doing their part in the team’s online workouts.
“All of us, coaches, have been handling the sessions since the pandemic,” said Perlas.NCAA rules prohibit any coach in the league to call the shots in any pro league at the same time. Robinson, however, can remain with the Pirates as consultant.
Robinson is already with the Fuel Masters in the PBA bubble in Clark.
Perlas, 43, was a member of National University’s staff that bagged the UAAP title in 2014 under coach Eric Altamirano.
After back-to-back finals stints in 2017 and 2018, the Pirates finished with a 13-5 card, good for second, after the elimination round in the last NCAA cage wars but lost to eventual champion Letran in their stepladder semifinal duel.
The Intramuros-based crew lost 6-foot-6 Cameroonian import Mike Harry Nzeusseu, forwards Ralph Tansingco and Jeff Santos, and guard Spencer Pretta due to graduation.
Speedy twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino, who were both drafted in the pro league by Alaska and Phoenix, respectively, also opted to forgo their fifth and final year for Lyceum.
