By NIKOLE JAVIER
A long drought and heartbreaks found fitting resolutions as La Salle finally took the UAAP crown away from the Katipunan schools for the first time in years.
There was the seven-year title drought of the Taft-based squad who despite some loaded lineups in the past, just couldn’t get over the hump and put itself in contention for the crown.
And then, there was the string of futility wrapped around its young head coach who was 0-3 in the Finals in his entire collegiate coaching career.
All of it casted questions on the team’s ability to get the job done despite putting up an impressive elimination performance highlighted by second-round sweep.
The noise grew even louder following a lopsided Game 1 loss that put La Salle on brink of defeat – another heartbreak and another story of a great team falling short of its goal.
But coach Topex Robinson, Kevin Quiambao and the rest of the Archers want none of that.
For them, now is the time to put a different end to a season that saw them being labeled as one of the teams to beat.
“After so many tries, I just didn’t wanna give up when you doubted yourself. And you don’t have the courage to move forward, you know that there’s somebody behind you. These guys were really giving me the courage to move forward even if I was pressuring myself,” said Robinson who finally won a title in the collegiate ranks after falling short three times in the past in the NCAA.
He lost one when he was still with San Sebastian and lost twice with Lyceum – all three against San Beda.
The horror of those Finals losses came haunting him again after Game 1 loss, admitted Robinson.
“That first Game 1 loss was really challenging for me. It kind of asked me if I was really here or para ba talaga ako sa coaching, but every time I see these guys, it gives me courage,” he added moments after the team’s 73-69 win over the UP Maroons in their knockout match for the coveted collegiate crown in the country.
The feat enabled him to join an elite company of coaches that won the title in their maiden season.
Franz Pumaren, Juno Sauler and Aldin Ayo were the other three mentors to achieve the feat.
Quiambao for his part said the title was the end result of the team’s hardwork and discipline in the off-season.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord kumbaga dinelay niya [muna] and then ‘yun nag-trust lang ako sa system ni coach. Then grind lang araw-araw and then ‘yung fit sa nutritionist, sa strength and conditioning. Lahat ng aspects sa game ko in-improve ko lang and focus lang ako kung anong meron. ‘Yung kinalabasan naman championship and Finals and Season MVP,” said Quiambao.
Sure, it was not a smooth-sailing ride towards the UAAP throne, but just like what they have been doing all-season long, the Green Archers are ready to push forward and shoot down every bit of doubt on their team.
