De La Salle is back on top and rookie head coach Topex Robinson was happy to officially join the list of elite mentors who guided the Green Archers to a UAAP championship title. 

The Taft-based squad survived the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 73-69, in Game 3 of their Finals series to reclaim the glory in the Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Robinson catapulted himself to the school’s list of top mentors as only the fourth one to win the championship in his maiden stint – earning himself the trust and admiration of the Lasallian community.

Franz Pumaren gave La Salle four straight titles beginning in 1998 during only his first year. This will be followed by Juno Sauler in 2013 and most recently in 2016 by Aldin Ayo’s "mayhem" season with the school.  

The Green Archers were riding on a nine-game winning streak before suffering a blowout loss in Game 1 that had Robinson’s confidence crashing down, which he then regained quickly through his wards’ continued trust. 

“I guess putting your name in that list is really an honor for me. This is my first championship as a college head coach. After so many tries, I just didn’t wanna give up when you doubt yourself. And you don’t have the courage to move forward, you know that there’s somebody behind you,” said Robinson. 

“These guys were really giving me the courage to move forward even if I was pressuring myself. That first Game 1 loss was really challenging for me. It kind of asked me if I was really here or para ba talaga ako sa coaching, but every time I see these guys, it gives me the courage,” he added. 

Interestingly, the 48-year-old Robinson went head-to-head with his UP counterpart in Goldwin Monteverde, who also won the school’s first title in 36 years in just his rookie year in 2022.