Philippine basketball is a small world.
You never know when past opponents might suddenly become your teammates.
That’s exactly what’s happening with San Juan, as the “Maroon 4” — Gerry Abadiano, Reyland Torres, Harold Alarcon, and Terrence Fortea — now find themselves sharing the court with one of their UAAP rivals, Mike Phillips.
Phillips, the 6-foot-8 bruiser from La Salle, was the final signing for San Juan ahead of the 2026 MPBL season, which kicks off this Friday with the Knights facing Pasay at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Though surprised by San Juan’s acquisition of Phillips, Abadiano knew it was always a possibility.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Hindi namin hawak yung ganiyang desisyon. Bilog talaga yung bola at hindi natin alam yung dating kalaban natin, magiging kakampi natin ngayon, tulad nung kay Mike Phillips,” Abadiano told Tiebreaker Times.
Over the past five years, the rivalry between UP and La Salle has been fierce, with the two teams meeting twice in the collegiate men’s finals.
The Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers alternated championships in UAAP Seasons 86 and 87 before Phillips led La Salle to triumph in his final year, ending the Maroon 4’s collegiate run in defeat.
Still, the former rivals are excited to play alongside the UAAP Season 88 Finals MVP.
“Happy lang kami na napunta sa amin si Mike at alam namin kung ano ang kaya niyang maitulong sa team. Nakita naman natin yung nilaro niya last season at nung finals. Sobrang excited namin na makalaro siya,” added Abadiano.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Phillips’ interior presence will be a huge boost for San Juan as they prepare to face defending champion Abra Solid North.
With Phillips on the roster, Torres believes San Juan now has the right pieces to end a five-year title drought.
“Buo yung team namin, kaya siguro mas buo yung loob namin sa paniniwala na makukuha namin yung championship this season. Yung pagpasok ng mga newcomers tulad ni Mike Phillips,” said Torres.
“Alam natin na si Mike, may winning mentality na nandiyan talaga. Makakatulong ’yon sa team namin.”
