By Jerome Lagunzad
Game Today
(Smart-Araneta Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. – San Beda vs Lyceum
(Game 2, Red Lions lead series 1-0)
Then calling the shots for his alma mater San Sebastian, Topex Robinson’s initial stint in the NCAA seniors basketball finals wasn’t a memorable one, with powerhouse San Beda dealing him with an excruciating pain.
But Robinson is not one to dwell on the past too much, confident that his current band of troops, the pesky Lyceum Pirates, have what it takes to even things up with the Red Lions today in Game 2 of their best-of-three titular showdown at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“Again every experience is a learning thing for me. I always tell this, whatever the result of this championship, I’m sure I’m gonna grow from this,” he said, putting things in perspective that he has grown leaps and bounds since the Golden Stags fell prey to the Red Lions via a two-game sweep in 2011.
“What happened in the past is something I’m gonna learn from. It’s gonna be here again. At the end of the day, you never stop learning. You have to have a growth mindset. Whatever things that don’t work, you find a way to make it work.”
There is certainly little doubts – if any – that he can make things work for the Pirates, who have shown their true potential following an 18-game sweep of the elimination round that included a pair of thrilling victories over the Red Lions.
San Beda ace guard Robert Bolick, who played a stellar role in their 94-87 victory in the opener last week, is already bracing himself for an expected fightback from Lyceum, bannered by reigning league MVP CJ Perez.
“They’re really a tough team and they bring out the best in us. I’m pretty sure sa Game 2, mas grabe pa sila. So we should be more composed,” he said.
“Game 1 pa lang naman. They’re undefeated (in the eliminations) nga so they know how to bounce back. We’ll be ready for them, and I know ang galing ng depensa nila, so paano pa kaya sa Game 2? We need to double our efforts.”
And so should the Pirates, who apparently ran out of steam in the closing stages where Bolick and his battle-tested Red Lions teammates thrived with ease that put them on the threshold of a title repeat and a 21st overall crown.
How the Pirates can get themselves out of the the ropes and push the Red Lions back should start with Robinson.
“We’re gonna fight, we’re gonna play, we’re gonna compete,” said the Lyceum’s ever-confident tactician. “Whatever the result is, we’ll have to peace of mind that we gave our very best. At the end of the day yun ang importante sa amin.
“We’ll be true to ourselves that this is the Finals, there’s no more excuse na hindi ka magko-compete. Compete means doesn’t guarantee a win. But knowing that until that last possession, we will always honor the game and play our best basketball.”