By MARK REY MONTEJO
La Salle coach Topex Robinson denied that he ever spat on University of the Philippines’ Reyland Torres, but admitted to have shouted at his direction in the heat of the moment during their emotional game in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
For angrily shouting, Robinson apologized to Torres but called on the public to stop creating false accusations and moved on from the bitter controversy for the betterment of the game.
“Muli po humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa bata (Reyland Torres) dahil po sa nagawa akong pagsigaw sa kanya at sana po magkaroon din ang chance na makalimutan na po natin ito at sawa na po tayo sa kakabato ng bintang sa ibang tao,” said an emotional Robinson moments after La Salle’s 77-68 win over Saturday evening, Oct. 13.
“At sana po maging lesson po sana ito sa lahat na kung wala po kayo sanang sure na proof huwag po kayong mag-akusa kasi napakasakit po,” he added.
Instead, Robinson urged the critics to let them move on and just enjoy the sport.
“But nakikiusap lang po ako sana na huwag na po tayong maglabas or magbatuhan ng accusation because we are playing this game of basketball and we just want to enjoy it.”
The incident happened in La Salle-UP match last Sunday, Oct. 6, where the former San Sebastian standout was accused by Torres of spitting onto his shoulder in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.
After their game, numerous theories and criticism were thrown at Robinson which the 2023 UAAP Coach of the Year awardee denied vehemently.
While he thanked the people who vouched for his credibility, Robinson said he would like to see and talked to a certain “Mrs. Villanueva” to clarify certain things.
“And marami rin po ako ang dapat pasalamatan and pati po sana yung, yung sumigaw sakin dun sa MOA, Mrs.
Villanueva, yung pinahiya niyo po ako sa harap ng pamilya ko, sa harap ng tao na inakusahan ninyo po ako,” said Robinson, still visibly hurt by strong words hurled at him.
“Kaya po kayo hindi ko kayo masagot dahil hindi po talaga akong gumawa nun. But sana po pag nagkita tayo meron din po kayo sanang lakas na loob na magsabi sa akin na mali po yung inaakusa niyo sa akin,” he added.
“And I’m just so fortunate that I have my Lasallian family, the team, the management and all the people that came up to me and tried to support me because tao rin po ako,” Robinson said.
After its thorough investigations, UAAP has issued stern warnings to Robinson and Torres and stated that they are ready to give them stricter penalties if it happens again in their future games.
The league also announced that there was no strong evidence of Robinson spitting on Torres.
