La Salle coach Topex Robinson during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Coach Topex Robinson on Saturday apologized for his actions during La Salle’s first-round win over rival University of the Philippines last week and admitted he was hurt by accusations made against him.
Robinson broke his silence a week after the controversy, on the same day the UAAP released a statement saying it had given the coach and the UP guard “stern warnings” for their unsportsmanlike conduct.
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Both parties dodged suspension because the league said that there was no “conclusive evidence” on the allegations that Robinson had spat on Torres and that the UP players used profanities against the coach.
READ: UAAP: Topex Robinson, Reyland Torres avoid suspension
“I hope this serves as a lesson to everyone that if you don’t have solid proof, please don’t make accusations because it’s really painful,” said Robinson in Filipino after the Green Archers’ 77-68 win over their first-round tormentor University of the East.
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“I’ve protected my name for so long. Where I am today, I got here without cheating anyone. I won games because I did the right thing. For you to accuse me of being a bad person… But I forgive you,” he said.
Robinson also asked fans to stop any further accusations against Torres who, according to the UAAP statement, “passed in very close proximity to Coach Robinson twice.”
“And now, I would also like to ask for your understanding. Please don’t accuse the child, because you won’t be able to handle what I went through. I hope you can also show understanding for what he has done, because I know how difficult it is,” said Robinson.
READ: UAAP: Topex Robinson, Reyland Torres given ‘stern warning’–source
“Again, I apologize to the child for what I did, for putting the blame on him, and I hope we can have a chance to forget this. Let’s stop throwing accusations at others.”
Robinson, though, called out a certain Mrs. Villanueva, who allegedly shouted at him in front of his family outside the Mall of sia Arena after the game, and for those who called him “squatter as an insulat.
“Mrs. Villanueva, you embarrassed me in front of my family and other people, and you accused me. The reason I couldn’t respond was because I really didn’t do what you said. I hope that when we see each other, you’ll also have the courage to admit that you were wrong in accusing me,” the La Salle coach said.
WATCH: Robinson calls out a certain Mrs. Villanueva, who “shouted at him outside MOA Arena” and apologizes for the heated exchange during the game. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/DJc10GVHng
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 12, 2024
And to those who called me ‘squatter,’ thank you as well, because I really worked hard, and whatever I have achieved now, I earned it through hard work.”
“My only question is, if someone is a squatter, does that make them a bad person? It’s not like they want to be poor, but they work hard. They studied, got scholarships, and now they have a better life. They used their hardship to improve their lives for their families.”
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Amid the controversy, Robinson vows to stay focused on La Salle’s title-retention bid moving forward.
“I will always live by what we always pray at La Salle. I will continue to do all my actions for the love of you,” he said, fighting through tears.
