Topex Robinson discusses how he and Aldin Ayo are reshaping PBA landscape
PBA coaches Aldin Ayo and Topex Robinson. –PBA IMAGES
Taking part in the playing cards he’s handled, Phoenix coach Topex Robinson believes—even with out speaking to his Converge counterpart—that he and Aldin Ayo are each altering the Philippine Basketball Affiliation (PBA) panorama of their literal little methods.
“The widespread perception is that should you don’t have an awesome massive man on this league is that you’ve got little or no probability,” Robinson informed the Inquirer over the cellphone Tuesday evening on the eve of his Gasoline Masters’ conflict with the FiberXers within the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations—the place the match’s hottest groups half methods at Sensible Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon Metropolis.
“What I like about me and coach Aldin is that we’re each attempting to vary that panorama,” Robinson mentioned of the three p.m. recreation. “We wish fast-paced video games. Now we have younger groups, it could be like watching collegiate basketball. And that makes it thrilling.”
Robinson has by no means actually had a dominant massive man ever since taking up the reins at Phoenix, which is why a five-game successful streak—the identical run Converge is at the moment in—looks as if a shock to loads.
‘Good place’
Jason Perkins (left) returns to motion as Phoenix clashes with Justin Arana and Converge in a duel of the league’s hottest groups. —PHOTOS courtesy of PBA IMAGES
After opening with three straight losses, small ball has given Phoenix a strong shot at a prime 4 end—if not at a twice-to-beat privilege.
However Robinson, who will break in small heart Jason Perkins after an extended layoff, doesn’t wish to sound grasping.
“We’re in a very good place,” Robinson mentioned with the Gasoline Masters in fifth spot. “But when we take a look at our standing, our massive problem truly shall be our subsequent three video games. Clearly, I desire a prime two [finish]. That may be massive. However realistically, we by no means imagined that we are going to be on this place as a result of we misplaced Matt [Wright to free agency abroad] and didn’t have Jason [Perkins].”
Robinson mentioned their strong run of late has form of given them an obstacle transferring ahead.
“We misplaced the ingredient of shock [because of the winning streak],” Robinson mentioned. “Groups received’t be treating us frivolously anymore and it will likely be an uphill climb.”
Perkins, in the meantime, shall be immersed again in slowly after making nice progress in recovering from a knee harm.
“His timetable is about for subsequent 12 months, truly,” Robinson mentioned. “He has a cyst [in the knee] and he can play with it.”
NorthPort and NLEX conflict within the 5:45 p.m. recreation, with each not having the posh of taking one other loss because the chase for playoff berths heats up. INQ
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