With coach Topex Robinson taking over Phoenix Super LPG in the upcoming PBA bubble, Robinson cannot manage another team in the same capacity as per the rules of the league, so his lead deputy Perlas will fill in for the Pirates.

“The head coaching title will now be with coach Jeff Perlas,” Topex Robinson said on The Chasedown.

Perlas is looking forward to continuing Robinson’s love, serve, care mantra as he takes over what Robinson had left for the squad. 

“I’m honored and at the same time, I’m humbled for this opportunity. It’s every coach’s dream to be in this position. I’m thankful and I’m ready for this,” he said.

“It’s really challenging to fill in the shoes of coach Topex, but because of my familiarity with the system and on how we do things here, mas madali na for me and the other coaches to continue what we started here,” he added. 

Perlas and Robinson had a deep connection that brought the team to a back-to-back final appearances, Season 93 and 94. 

The two started working together as skills coaches for Xavier School’s elementary team back in 2012.

Eventually, they both worked under coach Eric Altamirano at National University and shared NU’s championship in UAAP Season 77 in 2014.

Perlas hopes to bring forth the squad to greater heights as he aims for a better finish than their podium finish in NCAA Season 95.

“It’s the same love, serve, care mentality, but with more passion on the things that we’re doing. I think we can compete against the top contenders in the NCAA, and no promises but we will be ready,” Perlas claimed. 

On one hand, Robinson can still guide the Pirates as he has been changed to a new position for the Lyceum. 

“They adjusted my title. I still have three years as a coach and sports director, but they gave me the freedom to lead Phoenix and still be a part of LPU in a different capacity,” Robinson said.