Brothers Ben and Mike Phillips are one step closer to making the Gilas Pilipinas lineup for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. And to experience training for the Philippine national team together as brothers, ‘Big Ben’ is grateful.
“Sobrang masaya kami kasi we started this journey as brothers and tapos ngayon we’ve reached one of the highest levels representing our country,” said the older Phillips, who’s also been playing for De La Salle University men’s basketball in the PBA D-League and men’s volleyball in the UAAP.
“When you can play for the flag and country, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So kahit sa pool na ‘yun, being there as brothers is really, really impactful.”
Being part of the Gilas pool for the first time, Phillips is aware that they are rookies and better veteran players are also part of the list looking to crack the final roster.
Also part of the pool are Justin Brownlee, Christian Standhardinger, Aaron Black, Chris Newsome, Jeremiah Gray, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino, CJ Perez, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Mason Amos, and Jerom Lastimosa.
“We know that we’re not playing for the Phillips on the back of the jersey but the Philippines on the front, so it makes us work ten times harder because we know we’re the rookies and we have to learn a lot. Being able to have each other’s back [is] really, really [a] blessed [experience] to have us there,” said Phillips.
For Phillips, he just wants to be at his best every time Gilas holds practice so that he can also help the team improve.
He also relishes playing with PBA players who he said were his idols ever since he was a kid. To learn from them, he can carry all the lessons to the Green Archers camp for his final year there come Season 86.
“We know that there are a lot of people that are really good in the pool. Sa akin, my role is just to get better at practice every day and do what I can to follow the system of Coach Chot (Reyes),” said the 6-foot-5 stretch four.
“Sobrang blessed kasi yung experience once in a lifetime talaga. [I am] really able to learn a lot from maraming mas magaling na PBA players, mga idols ever since I was a kid. So being able to see people like Chris Ross, C-Stan, and all those veteran players, it’s a lot of learning experience that I can take sa upcoming UAAP season.”
Whether he makes the final lineup or not, Phillips knows that he has helped the Philippines in bringing the gold back to its home.
But on the occasion that he manages to get on the SEA Games team, of course, he will be honored and do everything for the country.
“Hopefully, if I can make the final lineup, that would be a dream come true. But really, I’m there to support my brother and make sure that we can do our best to bring the gold back to where it belongs.”
