Topex Robinson leaves San Sebastian to concentrate on Alaska

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Topex Robinson shocked the NCAA basketball world Tuesday after resigning from his post at the helm of the San Sebastian Stags.

“I felt that at second place and still very much in contention for the championship, this is a good time for me to resign,” said Robinson, a San Sebastian alumnus who helped the Stags win several titles as a player in the 1990s.

He said that he will concentrate on his duties as a member of the Alaska Aces coaching staff under Luigi Trillo.

“As much as possible, kung puwedeng mag-full time with Alaska, kailangang gawin, that’s what Coach Luigi and our boss Fred Uytengsu told us,” said Robinson. “I see this as a good opportunity to learn more. We have a good bunch of coaches now with the acquisition of Coach Louie Alas, Coach Leo Austria and Alex Compton. That’s an opportunity that’s hard to pass up.”

At Alaska, Robinson will continue to get the opportunity to coach his San Sebastian star player, Calvin Abueva, who was selected by the Aces with the No. 2 overall pick in last Sunday’s draft.

The former PBA guard took over the reins of San Sebastian last season and piloted the Stags to a second-place finish in the NCAA tournament. He also led the team to the Philippine Collegiate Champions League title.

He was a surprise choice to call the shots for the team after longtime Stags coach Turo Valenzona, who had handled the preparations of the team that summer, stepped down. The elder Valenzona was supposed to have taken over from previous Stags coach Ato Agustin.

“The system is already in place and Raymond Valenzona and his dad, Coach Turo are still there. I told Coach Turo about my decision,” said Robinson.

He said he had been mulling over the decision over the past several days.

“My resignation hasn’t to do with our 77-67 loss to EAC a few days ago. I’ve been thinking about it even before our game against San Beda. I don’t want to leave my team when the squad is on a losing skid, so I want to make sure that we’re still in good position before I resign,” he said.

Interestingly, Robinson sought advice from Alas, the coach of Letran.

“For somebody who’s a rival of our school to give me advice, that’s really admirable,” said Robinson. “Coach Louie had nice words for me and treated me like a brother. I’m glad that we will be together with Alaska.”

Despite his decision, Robinson said that the team and the school would always be dear to him.

“San Sebastian always has a special place in my heart. I will forever be a Stag. Who knows, in the next few years baka magsama-sama ulit kami,” he said.

Follow @interaksyon