JUST when the drama appeared to be over, coach Topex Robinson of defending champion La Salle broke the ice on allegations he spat at University of the Philippines guard Reyland Torres.
“Iyong huhusgahan ninyo po ako nang hindi ninyo muna kinuha iyong totoong story, siyempre po masakit din para sa akin. But nakikiusap lang po ako sana na huwag na po tayong maglabas or magbatuhan ng accusation because we are playing this game of basketball and we just want to enjoy it,” Robinson said.
“I want to thank my ‘friends’ from the media. I know that you have to do things because you need to do things because of your job.
“The social media people that need to have likes and need to have followers and have to do things that hindi man lang ako kinuhanan ng statement and made those stories, I want to thank you,” he added.
Robinson spoke after the Green Archers got back at the UE Red Warriors 77-68 last Saturday in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament.
Stern warnings were issued against Robinson and Torres for the incident that happened in the two teams’ highly emotional tiff last Oct. 6.
“After a thorough investigation into the events that transpired during the game between De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines last Sunday, October 6, 2024, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ Basketball Commissioner’s Office has issued stern warnings to DLSU Head Coach Michael Christopher ‘Topex’ Robinson and UP student-athlete Reyland Torres for their unsportsmanlike conduct,” the league said in a statement last Saturday.
“The investigation has revealed that both individuals displayed behaviors that do not reflect the values of sportsmanship upheld by the UAAP and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Specifically, it was found that Mr. Torres passed in very close proximity to coach Robinson twice. Coach Robinson, in turn, responded with language unbecoming of a coach. Both coach Robinson and Mr. Torres are hereby warned that any future violations of the UAAP’s tournament guidelines will result in stricter penalties.
“Additionally, allegations that Mr. Torres used profane language, and that coach Robinson spat at Mr. Torres could not be conclusively proven based on testimonies and available evidence during the investigation.”
Robinson thanked his supporters, especially the La Salle community, for standing up for him.
“But I also want to thank my real friends in the media that respected my space, respected my silence, and didn’t come out with any story that’s not one-sided. I know who you are, and I’ll be forever grateful for you guys,” Robinson said. “I’m just so fortunate that I have my Lasallian family, the team, the management, and all the people that came up to me and tried to support me because tao rin po ako.”
Robinson called out Tricia Endozo-Villanueva, a UP supporter, whom he claimed had thrown false accusations and humiliated him in front of his family.
“Iyong sumigaw sa akin doon sa MOA, si Mrs. Villanueva. Iyong ipinahiya ninyo po ako sa harap ng pamilya ko, sa harap ng tao na inakusahan ninyo po ako. Kaya ko po kayo hindi masagot dahil hindi po talaga ako ang gumawa noon,” Robinson said.
“But sana po kapag nagkita tayo, mayon din po kayo sanang lakas ng loob na magsabi sa akin na mali po iyong inakusa ninyo sa akin.”
Holding back tears, Robinson posed why his not-so rosy beginnings were likened by his detractors to being a bad person.
“Iyong mga tumawag po sa akin ng squatter, maraming salamat din po sa inyo dahil talaga po namang naghirap ako at kung ano man po iyong naramdaman o iyong na-achieve ko ngayon, dahil po pinagsikapan ko. Ang tanong ko lang po: kapag po ba squatter, masamang tao? Kasi po tinawag po akong squatter. So, hindi ko po alam kung saan nanggaling iyon,” Robinson said. “Pero kapag squatter po ba, masamang tao na iyon? Hindi ba po ang squatter, hindi naman po nila ginustong maghirap sila pero nagsikap sila, nag-aral sila, nakakuha sila ng scholarship, at ngayon nagkaroon sila ng maayos na buhay, at ginamit nila iyong kahirapan nila para maging maayos iyong buhay nila para sa pamilya nila.
“Hindi ko po alam kung bakit po ang squatter sinasabihan ng masama. Iyan po iyong hindi ko lang alam.”
Robinson also asked people to stop the hate on Torres and said he has forgiven his bashers.
“Para po akusahan niyo ako na masamang tao, pinapatawad ko po kayo,” he said. “I will always live by what we always pray at La Salle. ‘I will continue to do all my actions for the love of You. Amen.’”
This dramatic episode in the cage wars is now behind the people involved–hopefully and what fans expect from here onwards are battles on the court.