MANILA, Philippines – La Salle head coach Topex Robinson did not hold back on his critics after the UAAP cleared him from his involvement in a controversial spitting allegation from UP guard Reyland Torres on Saturday, October 12, six days after the heated Archers-Maroons encounter.
Eyes red with tears after La Salle’s thrilling 77-68 conquest of fast-rising UE at the Araneta Coliseum, the defending champion mentor went on a five-minute tirade, addressing multiple aspects of the controversy and people involved in the immediate aftermath of the allegations.
“I’m just so fortunate that I have my La Sallian family — the team, the management, and all the people who came to me and tried to support me because I’m just human. To those who judged me before getting the real story, of course, that was painful for me,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“I’m just requesting that we don’t release accusations and sling them around because we’re playing this game of basketball and we just want to enjoy it. I’m also thanking every person who has helped me. Thank you very much.”
Robinson, the central figure in a fierce, side-taking social media saga that raged for days leading up to the official league verdict, admitted to shutting off his entire online presence after the damning allegation and staying within his exclusive circle of friends and family to evade the noise.
Now back out in the open, the former NCAA and PBA tactician directed his fury to a certain “Mrs. Villanueva,” who made a public Facebook post that she approached Robinson to drill him on the accusation face to face.
“To Mrs. Villanueva, who yelled at me at the [Mall of Asia] Arena and shamed me in front of my family and other people, you accused me. I didn’t answer you because I really didn’t do it. I hope that when we see each other again, you will have the guts to tell me you were wrong in accusing me,” Robinson said.
“To those who called me ‘squatter,’ I thank you because I really came from poverty and worked hard to achieve what I have today. My question to you is, if you’re a squatter, you’re a bad person?”
With star player Mike Phillips backing him up on the issue, Robinson went on to put the less fortunate in a positive light, praising them for making the most of a bad situation and staying to fight for their lives.
The usually-reserved coach likewise told people to back off from Torres himself, saying that people should give him some slack as well.
“I ask for forgiveness from the kid because of what I said, and I hope we give it a chance to forget about this and grow tired of throwing accusations around,” continued Robinson, who admitted in his official meeting with the UAAP that he indeed badmouthed Torres in their encounter but without the spitting.
“We hope this becomes a lesson for all to not accuse without proof. I protected my name for so long without cheating people. I will always live by what we always pray at La Salle. I will continue to do my actions for the love of you.” – Rappler.com
