La Salle head coach Topex Robinson was quick to temper the excitement surrounding his Green Archers, who are riding a four-game winning streak and have vaulted into Final Four contention.
From injury woes to mid-season momentum, the DLSU Green Archers have transformed from a struggling squad into one of the hottest teams in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball.
After dropping three of their first five games, the Taft-based crew is now on a four-game winning streak – the latest with a 84–72 repeat dub over the winless UE Red Warriors.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Red-hot DLSU surges to fourth-straight win, share of second after turning back UE]
That run has lifted La Salle into a share of second place with defending champion UP, thrusting the Green Archers into the heart of the Final Four race — and even into twice-to-beat territory.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Luis Pablo continues resurgence as La Salle stays in front of Final Four hunt]
Yet head coach Topex Robinson is the first to temper the excitement.
“We really can’t rest and think that we’re the best team because once you think that, it’s really going to be your downfall,” the former UAAP champion coach said.
What once appeared to be a rocky start has now morphed into a timely surge at the perfect moment.
Playing without injured stars Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos, La Salle has gone 4–0 with key wins against the UP and UST.
[ALSO READ: Undermanned La Salle wins 'character game' vs UP to force triple-tie in UAAP standings]
And in a season as chaotic as this one — with no team yet securing a Final Four berth and seven squads still in the hunt — Robinson and his wards are locked in on navigating their own path.
“Right now, sabi nga namin we don’t look at the competition or where we are. Instead, we run our own race and focus on what we have control over, and that’s our improvement,” he explained.
The road ahead promises even sterner tests.
La Salle will face league-leaders NU, bitter rivals Ateneo, and dangerous squads like FEU and Adamson in the coming weeks.
[ALSO READ: Mike Phillips embraces ‘playoff mode’ early as DLSU enters crucial stretch of UAAP Final Four race]
“Yes, we might be winning, but there’s still a lot to consider, especially against NU in our next game. We also have to face Ateneo, and Adamson is playing tremendous basketball right now,” he added.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.