Phoenix Super LPG coach Topex Robinson defended the decision to call a timeout with three seconds left of his team’s 104-99 victory over Alaska in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska counterpart Jeffrey Cariaso refused to do the customary postgame handshake and went straight to the dressing room fuming after Robinson elected to call a timeout with the outcome already settled.
Alaska assistant Danny Ildefonso was also seen confronting Robinson, although the two appeared to have immediately patch things up.
Some believe Robinson’s move was aimed at adding more points to the final score in case the margin of victory can be used to determine tiebreakers at the end of the eliminations.
In fact, Phoenix designed a play for Matthew Wright to use a screen and score a layup off the inbound which was broken by the Alaska defense.
But Robinson said the timeout would allow Phoenix to inbound on its own court, rather than allow Alaska very little room to make a miraculous comeback.
“It’s part of the game,” Robinson said. “I made a decision to call a timeout, because again, that's on the backcourt. And we're still up by five, we wanna make sure that we don't commit a turnover.
“A lot of things have happened here in the PBA, wherein you try to relax and thought that you got the game in control. I have one more time out, I'm gonna use it,” he added.
Robinson reiterated that it was a decision that he had to make, especially against a tough team like Alaska which repeatedly sliced down Phoenix’s lead throughout the game.
“I respect that team, I know their capabilities, and I just don't wanna be a victim to another bad decision. And again, I'll be responsible for that,” said Robinson.
“It's something that I have to make as a coach, and I'll be responsible for that call.”