He shared an anecdote that best encapsulates his rule.
De La Salle Green Archers coach Topex Robinson is unconventional in every sense of the word.
But just how unconventional has the amiable mentor been for the Green Archers?
In an exclusive interview on Playitright TV with veteran sportscaster Quinito Henson, Robinson revealed his no. 1 rule is “use your best judgment.”
His players took that heart, and it appears no one embodied it more than big man Mike Phillips.
“People don’t know we have rule no. 1: Use your best judgement. And this guy on my right (Phillips) sometimes just subs himself,” he said, referring to his prized big man.
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But while that would strike anyone as downright disrespectful, that doesn’t bother Robinson one bit.
“My coaches would tell me, ‘Coach, he just subbed himself.’ (I said) yes, why not?’ He subbed himself because he wanted to help,” Robinson pointed out. “That’s not disrespecting me because we had an agreement. Hindi pwedeng pag OK lang, dun lang ako OK. Pag hindi ako OK, hindi na pwede.”
He added: “[For] somebody from the outside, that’s disrespectful, but I’m gonna live by with my rule no. 1, and it will never in any way disrespect me.”
In fact, that’s where trust and respect come in.
“At the end of the day, we need to win a championship. And everybody will do whatever it takes to win a championship. That’s where respect and trust come in,” he added.
One could say he is giving his players too much freedom. One could say he’s a little to lenient on his players.
But it works, right? And Robinson has a championship to show for it.
Watch the whole video below:
(MDB)