La Salle just got taller for the UAAP Season 83 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Brothers Benjamin and Michael Phillips are set to play for the Green Archers.
With both standing at 6-foot-8, Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren is glad to have the two Filipino-Americans in his squad to join the likes of Amadou Ndiaye, Justine Baltazar, and Brandon Bates.
“Michael will be a big addition along with his brother Benjamin to our frontline line-up. They bring a lot of energy, passion, intensity, and hustle,” said Pumaren.
“They always go for the rebound and make sure to keep the ball alive.”
Michael, 18, is a true freshman who just graduated from Creekside High School. During his senior year, he posted norms of 12.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 19 games for the Knights.
Michael can play for five seasons in the UAAP.
On the other hand, Benjamin is a unique case.
Having graduated Fairfield High School back in 2017, Benjamin decided to focus on being a student at Miami University after getting an academic scholarship to the renowned Farmer School of Business through its University Honors Program.
Last year, Benjamin, who is 21 now, published a book titled, Lone Wolf Mentality: A Millennial Mindset.
Benjamin enrolled in La Salle back in 2019.
The game has now brought Benjamin and his brother to their motherland.
“They are still projects in process with a huge upside, and in God’s time will be a force in the UAAP,” said Pumaren about his expectations on the two.
