After reclaiming glory for their respective basketball programs and helping their student-athletes cope up with the rigorous demands of collegiate sports, an elite crop of collegiate coaches was named for its brilliance and leadership. De La Salle University’s Topex Robinson, San Beda University’s Yuri Escueta and University of Santo Tomas’ Haydee Ong would be officially feted with the Coach of the Year award.
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The recognition would be formally conferred by the Collegiate Press Corps during its 2026 awards night presented by Strong Group Athletics. The press corps is responsible for celebrating the successes of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season eighty-eight and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season one hundred one. Backed by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold, D’Generals and Buffalos’ Wings N’ Things, the event would take place on June 29 at Discovery Suites Manila in Ortigas, Pasig.
The De La Salle Green Archers completed their redemption bid and overcame the University of the Philippines in the men’s basketball finals. Coach Topex Robinson steered his squad past a twice-to-beat disadvantage against top-seeded National University before eventually taking down modern-day rival UP. A massive collection of hardwares was brought home by the team. If the university administration continues its robust funding for training equipments, more victories would surely result to stronger alumni support.
Meanwhile, steps are being taken by the San Beda Red Lions to maintain their grand dominance. The Knights were swept by the Red Lions in the men’s basketball finals of the organization, as Escueta pushed all the right buttons. San Beda secured its twenty-fourth men’s basketball title despite missing the services of former star scorer Janti Miller, a 190cm guard, in Game 2.
In another record-extending campaign, Ong spearheaded the UST Growling Tigresses’ title-winning run, reclaiming the women’s basketball crown from the NU Lady Bulldogs. The university captured a division-best thirteenth women’s basketball title, with Ong, the coach of the squad, guiding the Tigresses to their second championship in three years after falling short against NU in 2024. These tacticians, who run intensive practices from Monday to Saturday, prove that proper institutional backing is paramount.
Furthermore, top volleyball coaches would also be announced as the best of their respective leagues, e.g., the association and the organization, during the annual awarding rites backed by Discovery Suites as the official venue partner.
