Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Basketball

Mike Phillips offers stellar game vs UST to late La Salle security guard


While the passing of a loved one can bring a person to their lowest point, some people turn this tragedy into much-needed motivation.

Fourth-year big man Mike Phillips emerged as a pivotal player in De La Salle University’s 88-67 victory over the University of Santo Tomas, keeping the Green Archers in solo second place in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Phillips finished the game with 12 points, 18 rebounds, two assists, and one block, propelling his team to a morale-boosting win before their finals rematch against the University of the Philippines to close out the first round of play.

It was revealed that the entire La Salle basketball team, especially the 21-year-old bruiser, was reeling from the passing of dormitory security guard Doleo Susalta on Friday night, September 27.

Holding back tears during the post-game press conference, Phillips expressed how Susalta went above and beyond — not only for the Green Archers, but also for him. Susalta would even comfort him during his “darkest days.”

UAAP-S87-MBB-Mike-Phillips-08400 Mike Phillips offers stellar game vs UST to late La Salle security guard Basketball DLSU News UAAP  - philippine sports news

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“I think his spirit, I was playing for him tonight. He’s someone that meant a lot to me; he really taught me a lot,” shared the Wellspring Christian Family School product.

“He’s not just a guard… He always did so much, and a lot of times, he did night duty and put in the extra effort to make sure we were taken care of,” he continued.

Phillips, known for his deep Christian faith, also acknowledged how God brought the two of them together to bond over their shared beliefs.

#ReadMore  UAAP Men's Basketball: Adamson bounces back in style, ends UST's unbeaten run

When the 6-foot-8 player joined La Salle in 2020, the sudden pause during the pandemic allowed him to strengthen his faith, a bond that he and Susalta shared.

“When I was really in dark places before, I don’t know why God just kind of brought us together, and he was always open,” the UAAP Season 84 Mythical Five member revealed.

“He would always check in on us, and I would talk to him for hours at night… He would always listen to anything I had, and I learned so much from him about what it means to be a Christian here.”

Written By

A dreamer from Marikina, a reporter on the sidelines


You May Also Like

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University flipped the switch in the second half to beat its fabled rival De La Salle University, 4-1, securing full points...

AdU

By: Nicole Parallag Rookie Joseph Garces powered University of the Philippines to its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament,...

Basketball

Precious Momowei did all he could to extend University of the East’s winning streak in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament. This...

FEU

Far Eastern University dominated University of the East, securing a 4-0 victory to notch its second consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate...

News

By: Christian David Ruiz National University’s Harlyn Serneche and Diza Berayo gave it their all in a finals rematch against Adamson University in the...

News

By: Czarina Agaton University of the East open hitter Christian Antonio played with resilience despite sustaining a minor injury during training. In their four-set...

Basketball

University of the East faced a major setback in its bid for a fourth straight win against Ateneo de Manila University, with Filipino-American gunner...

ADMU

University of the East continued its surge in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, coming back from 10 points down in the...

Advertisement