Jeff Perlas named Lyceum coach as Topex Robinson leads Phoenix

The Lyceum Pirates have promoted longtime assistant Jeff Perlas as the team’s head coach on Sunday, October 4.

Perlas confirmed the development to Rappler Sports as former chief tactician Topex Robinson will now lead the PBA’s Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters following the firing of Louie Alas.

PBA rules state that its head coaches cannot hold another top coaching position in any other league, which necessitated the changing of the guard between Perlas and Robinson.

Robinson, however, will maintain his position as sports director for the entire five-campus LPU system, and will still be around the Pirates as a consultant.

“[Lyceum] adjusted my title, because I still have 3 years on my contract with LPU as a coach and sports director. So they gave me the freedom to lead Phoenix, and at the same time, I’m still gonna be a part of LPU in a different capacity,” Robinson said on The Chasedown.

Perlas will basically ensure continuity for the successful Pirates program with the promotion as he has been under Robinson for the last 5 years in the NCAA, which included back-to-back finals appearances in 2017 and 2018.

He will inherit a team that has lost multiple veterans like Defensive Foreign Player Mike Nzeusseu, Mythical Five member Jaycee Marcelino, and his twin brother, fellow bench spark plug Jayvee.

However, the Pirates are still a promising squad entering Season 96 as they have secured the commitments of top high school prospects like Mac Guadana and John Barba. – Rappler.com