Topex Robinson speaks out after UP-La Salle incident

De La Salle University men's basketball head coach Topex Robinson broke his silence on Saturday on his involvement in the incident that happened during the match between his team and University of the Philippines last October 6.

The UAAP gave stern warnings to Robinson and UP player Reyland Torres for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"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)," the league said in a statement.

"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," it also said.

Robinson said he has learned a lot from what happened and thanked those who reached out for his side on the issue.

He also thanked the Lasallian community for backing him up.

"I’m just so fortunate that I have my Lasallian family – the team, the management and all the people who came to me and tried to support me because tao rin po ako.  'Yung huhusgahan n'yo po ako na hindi n'yo po muna nakukuha 'yung totoong istorya, s'yempre po masakit din para sa akin," Robinson said in a press conference after the Green Archers' win against University of the East.

However, he also asked that accusations be stopped.

"Nakikiusap lang po ako sana na 'wag na po tayong maglabas o magbatuhan ng accusations because we're playing this game of basketball and we just want to enjoy it," he said.

Robinson also called on those who threw words such as 'squatter' on him on social media.

"'Yung mga tumawag po sa akin ng ‘squatter.' Maraming salamat din po sa inyo dahil po talaga po namang naghirap ako at kung ano naman po ‘yung narating, na-achieve ko ngayon dahil po pinagsikapan ko. Ang tanong ko lang po,  kapag po ba squatter, masamang tao?"

"'Di ba po ang squatter, 'di naman po nila gustong maghirap sila pero nagsikap sila. Nag-aral sila, nakakuha sila ng scholarship at ngayon, nagkaroon sila ng maayos na buhay at ginamit nila 'yung kahirapan nila para maging maayos 'yung buhay nila para sa pamilya nila," Robinson added.

The La Salle coach also asked people to stop throwing accusations on the player involved.

"Ngayon po, nakikiusap rin po sana ako. Sana po 'wag din po natin akusahan 'yung bata," he said.

"Sana po bigyan po rin siya ng pang-unawa sa mga nagawa niya dahil alam ko po gaano kahirap 'yun."

"Muli po, humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa bata dahil po sa nagawa kong pagsigaw sa kanya at sana po magkaroon din ng chance na makalimutan na po natin 'to at sawa na po tayo sa kakabato ng bintang sa ibang tao. Sana po maging lesson ito sa lahat na kung wala po sana kayong sure na proof, 'wag po kayong mag-akusa kasi napasakit po," Robinson said.

The La Salle coach also reiterated that he reached his status now because he is doing the right things.

"Iningatan ko po 'yung pangalan ko nang napakatagal. Kung nasaan po ako ngayon, wala po akong dinayang tao. Nanalo po ako ng games dahil po ginawa ko 'yung tama," he said.

Part of DLSU head coach Topex Robinson’s statement in the presscon asks critics to spare the player involved in the incident from accusations.

Robinson: I will always live by what we pray in La Salle, “I will continue to do all my actions for the love of You.” @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/uAf4SMY2G9

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) October 12, 2024

"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," Robinson said as he almost turned emotional.

Robinson steered La Salle to its fourth straight win on Saturday as it avenged its first round loss against the Red Warriors, 77-68.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News