Romwel Anzures

De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson against University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media.

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ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760878254595IMG_8732.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson against University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media."/>De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson against University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Despite missing the pair of Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos, De La Salle University still managed to take down University of the Philippines on Sunday in a close encounter, 72-69.</div>The likes of Jacob Cortez, Mike Phillips, Luis Pablo, Vhoris Marasigan, and Earl Abadam picked up the slack for the short-staffed Green Archers especially in crunch time, and for Green Archers coach Topex Robinson, this is exactly how they want to approach their campaign moving forward.<div style="line-height:1.5"><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/10/19/uaap-undermanned-la-salle-outlasts-up-in-thriller-1953">READ: Undermanned La Salle outlasts UP in thriller</a></div>“Yes, no Kean and no Mason, but also no excuses,” said the one-time UAAP champion mentor of the duo which is recovering from their respective MCL tears. “There are only two groups of people that have something to say about our situation: Those who are sorry for us, and those who are counting us out because we are undermanned.”“But as I always say: If we are going to come out, and whatever the result is, as long as we just give it our best,” he added. “We know that we are going up against the defending champions, and it was always going to be a test of character for us.”It has been a rollercoaster ride for the Taft-based cagers, with La Salle managing to tick four wins against three losses in Round 1 despite the circumstances that they are in.But for Robinson, these scars will also serve as reminders of why they are continuing the fight even with their setbacks.“The only way we can have them back is by going all the way,” he said. “We’re not doing these for ourselves, but for those players that we lost.”However, while this was a positive step towards the bigger picture, the most important thing for now is absorbing the lessons rather than just celebrating the victory over the reigning champs.“We always talk about becoming better persons and better Archers, and it will always be a test of character, but there are still a lot of games to be played,” he emphasized.“This is not the end-all all be-all for us. This is just the end of the first round,” added Robinson.

“There are only two groups of people that have something to say about our situation: Those who are sorry for us, and those who are counting us out because we are undermanned.” #UAAPSeason88

“There are only two groups of people that have something to say about our situation: Those who are sorry for us, and those who are counting us out because we are undermanned.” #UAAPSeason88

UAAP: No Kean and no Mason, but still no excuses for La Salle — Topex

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UAAP: No Kean and no Mason, but still no excuses for La Salle — Topex

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 19, 2025 09:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

UAAP

ABSSports

UAAP Season 88

UAAP Basketball

Topex Robinson

Mason Amos

Kean Baclaan

MCL Tears

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