PHOENIX coach Topex Robinson has emerged as the frontrunner as La Salle’s next coach in the UAAP.
The Green Archers reportedly opted not to renew the contract of veteran tactician Derrick Pumaren after it expired last Dec. 31 and are likely to tap Robinson to call the shots for the team.
Robinson is still negotiating for a new deal after his pact with the Dennis Uy-owned ballclub also ended three days ago.
Without gunner Matthew Wright, who chose to bring his act to the Japan B. League, the Fuel Masters wound up with a 6-6 card for seventh after the eliminations of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and fell to No. 2 and twice-to-beat Magnolia in the quarterfinals.
Robinson previously called the shots for Lyceum in the NCAA before his nearly three-year stint with the Fuel Masters where he replaced Louie Alas in 2020.
A former pro league mainstay, Robinson also served as San Sebastian strategist and Alaska and Phoenix assistant coach.
Robinson’s move to Taft Ave. still has one last step he has to hurdle to seal the deal — he needs to get the nod from La Salle President Bro. Bernard Oca, FSC.
“For interview na si coach Topex with Bro. Oca. Depende pa rin iyan sa interview siyempre,” the insider said. “It has to have the blessings of the school president.”
With the next UAAP cage wars set later this year, the insider added La Salle is not in a rush to name a new coach. In stark contrast, the PBA’s season-ending Governors’ Cup will kick off on Jan. 22.
“La Salle is taking its time but ang PBA Governors’ Cup sa Jan. 22 na ang start,” the insider said.
“If the stars don’t align for him (for the La Salle job), siyempre hindi pa naman sure lahat iyan. But yes, leading candidate siya,” said the source, saying that Cholo Villanueva is also in the mix for the post.
Pumaren linked up with the Archers anew, a squad he guided to two straight crowns in 1989 and 1990, in early 2020.
La Salle advanced to the Final Four of the 84th season last summer as the third seed with a 9-5 mark and pushed eventual champion University of the Philippines to a deciding match before falling short.
Boosted by PBA D-League title win and toughened up by an overseas training in Japan, the Archers were considered as one of the favorites last season by armchair pundits.
But La Salle tumbled with a 7-7 slate in the eliminations, no thanks to injuries to key players such as Deschon Winston (hamstring), Michael Phillips (concussion protocols), and Kevin Quiambao (COVID-19), who all sat out crucial matches.
The Archers lost to Adamson University in their knockout playoff duel for the last semifinals slot.
