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Phoenix’s Robinson prepares for tougher training trials without Abueva
Roy Luarca (Philstar.com) – October 14, 2020 – 1:25 pm
MANILA, Philippines – Topex Robinson cleared the first bar and prepares for higher obstacles on his new PBA ride.
Making his debut as interim Phoenix Super LPG head coach, Robinson led the Fuel Masters to a 116-98 victory over the Meralco Bolts on Sunday at the 2020 Philippine Cup at the AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Angeles, Pampanga.
Against multi-title coach Norman Black, Robinson was a surprise when Phoenix prevailed despite the absence of his best weapon: Calvin Abueva.
Sniper Matthew Wright powered Phoenix’s march with 36 points, including four 3s, six assists and four rebounds, and got a lot of help from Jason Perkins with 17 points and 9 rebounds, Justin Chua with 17 points and RR Garcia with 14.
As it turned out, Wright has just kept his promise to Robinson that he will not allow the new mentor to fail the initial test as a bench strategist.
While Robinson likes Wright’s highly competitive nature, the former Lyceum Pirates mentor believes the rest of the Fuel Masters did their part as well.
According to Robinson, the Fuel Masters brought the best version of themselves to the All-Filipino conference. Play hard in practice and support each other.
Yet even with the new Fuel Masters bond, Robinson, who worked hard at the PBA between 2003 and 2011, knows the Fuel Masters are on a rocky road against the other 10 teams huddled in the bubble at Clark Freeport & Economic Zone. .
It’s a different situation than Robinson’s seasons at San Sebastian College, which led to the 2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown, and Lyceum, which led to the National College Athletic Association Finals in 2017 and 2018.
Robinson vividly recalled those title opportunities missed by Lyceum to St Bede College, later orchestrated by Jamike Jarin.
It’s no wonder Robinson named Jarin as his top assistant because he wanted to be surrounded by winners, people he knew and could fill in for his weaknesses.
Having savored victory without Abueva, who is on Phoenix’s official roster but has yet to be cleared to play, the Fuel Masters are in high spirits.
If they can beat the Bolts with Abueva as a mere observer, they can probably handle the other contenders as well.
Robinson, of course, knows that the Fuel Masters’ first win will not define his season. In the same way you will not build your reputation as a coach.
There are tougher tests scheduled and Robinson is unlikely to pass them all.
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