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Let’s talk about the unspoken boundaries of the college basketball sideline, because right now, De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson is treating them like a mere suggestion.
In the hyper-emotional, pressure-cooker environment of the UAAP, coaches are expected to be the ultimate anchors of discipline. They are the adults in the room. But when you look at the circulating footage from the September 16 first-round encounter between DLSU and the University of Santo Tomas, it’s getting incredibly difficult to defend the guy running the show in Taft.
Let’s roll the tape. It’s the third quarter of a tight UAAP Season 89 contest. UST rookie Charles Esteban has just knocked down a three-pointer. As Esteban jogs back down the floor, moving past the DLSU sideline, a clip that went viral on Reddit appears to show Robinson deliberately extending his leg toward the young player in an apparent tripping attempt. UST ultimately won the game, 80-75, but the final score was instantly overshadowed by the sheer absurdity of a grown man, and the leader of one of the country’s premier collegiate programs, resorting to playground antics against a rookie.
To fully grasp why this recent incident has struck such a nerve, you have to look at the track record. This isn't Robinson’s first rodeo when it comes to bizarre, unsportsmanlike sideline controversies. The tripping video instantly drew comparisons to the infamous "spitgate" incident during a previous UAAP season. In that messy affair, Robinson was at the center of an alleged spitting incident involving University of the Philippines guard Reyland Torres. That controversy blew up the internet, required a formal league investigation, and ultimately resulted in the UAAP issuing a stern warning to Robinson for using language unbecoming of a coach.
When you combine the UP spitting controversy with the recent footage of the Esteban tripping attempt, a deeply concerning pattern emerges.
Basketball fans are rightfully questioning the conduct of a coach who is supposed to be setting an example for his players and the spectators. Observers are pointing out the inconsistencies in how these infractions are handled, reigniting a massive online discussion about sportsmanship and accountability in collegiate basketball. If a bench player from a lesser-known program pulled these stunts, the suspension would likely be swift and severe.
The UAAP has stated in the past that it does not condone unsportsmanlike behavior that runs contrary to the ideals of fair play. But at a certain point, warnings aren't enough. The incident has renewed urgent calls among fans for coaches to maintain basic professionalism. Robinson is a brilliant tactical basketball mind—he steered the Green Archers to a championship through a gritty "next-man-up" culture—but his extracurricular activities are becoming an undeniable distraction. You can't preach discipline in the locker room while trying to sweep the leg of an opposing rookie on the floor.
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