Michael Phillips refused to be drawn towards feelings of revenge after De La Salle University secured a spot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament by defeating Adamson University 69-57 last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In the previous Season 85, under coach Derrick Pumaren, the Green Archers missed the semifinals after an 80-76 loss to the Soaring Falcons in the December 4, 2023, play-off.
While it might have been tempting to say payback was sweet, the 32nd Southeast Asian Games gold medalist stated that entering the Final Four this year was merely a goal he and his teammates sought to achieve as part of their overall aim of winning the championship.
“That’s a great question,” said Phillips, who had 11 rebounds and eight points for the Green Archers. “For me, if you would have asked that question a couple of years ago or before Coach Topex (Robinson), I would have said it was personal.
“I would have said something like it was an act of revenge, but something I learned from Coach Topex and the coaching staff this year is that it kind of gets to your head. If it becomes personal, then you worry too much about the other team,” the Mythical Team member added.
“Of course, we have to be prepared, but really focused on ourselves. Yes, they knocked us out of the playoffs, but this game was just another game today. We prepared just like any other game to really come out there and play our best. Adamson gave us a really tough fight, and so we’re just happy to move on to the next game with the win.”
While La Salle managed to return to the Final Four after a one-year absence, it has been six seasons since it has enjoyed a playoff advantage in the semifinals.
Now that the Green Archers’ first goal of reaching the Final Four has been achieved, they are on the hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage in their last three games against the University of the East, Far Eastern University, and Ateneo de Manila University.
La Salle is also on a five-game winning streak, and the Green Archers are the hottest team right now in the UAAP.
While the Final Four may still be a few weeks away, it is imperative that they maintain their momentum heading towards what could be a championship push.
“For me, consistency,” said Phillips. “Yun talaga yung gusto ko makita sa team, especially since we have this mix of rookie guys (and) veteran guys. These games really help shape us, really help prepare us for the games going ahead.
“That’s why we really didn’t want to overlook a game like this or overlook any games because they really prepare us for the adversity that we’re gonna face in the Final Four,” the third-year bruiser continued.
“I think this is just another learning experience for us. It really helped us bond like what Coach (Topex) said so it’s something that will help us prepare down the road.”
