A new coach will soon take over the Lyceum of the Philippines University’s basketball program.
School officials will decide in the coming days, following the appointment of Topex Robinson as head coach of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters last Friday.
Assistant coach Jeff Perlas would most likely take over as the next head coach and probably as Director of Basketball Operations of the Lyceum System.
“Wala pang appointment pero it will be one of his staff. Coach Topex will continue to be LPU’s consultant,” said LPU athletic director Hercules Callanta.
League rules in the Philippine Basketball Association prohibit head coaches from moonlighting as a coach for any other team out of the organization.
“They will have a meeting Topex and the officials of the school. Nagulat din kami sa pangyayari,” said Perlas.
Perlas has been Robinson’s deputy over the last five years.
The other deputies in the Pirates squad include Rommel Adducul, Gilbert Malabanan, Ricky Reyes and Kevin Lacap.
“We are still waiting for the management’s decision regarding this matter but if everything will fall into place I might be elevated to handle the team. Again no final decision yet but I’m ready,” said Perlas.
It was announced last Friday that Robinson will take over the post of Louie Alas, who was earlier suspended from his job at the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmaster for 15 days.
Robinson was initially named to take over in an interim capacity, and as team officials anticipate the restart of games in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Alas was penalized by the team management when he violated health protocols implemented by the PBA for team practices.
When Robinson was head coach of the Pirates, they claimed back-to-back Finals appearances in Season 93 and 94, and reached the Final Four last year.