After De La Salle University’s Game 1 loss to the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Finals, Mike Phillips made it clear that he and the rest of the Green Archers would take the setback in stride and come back even stronger in Game 2.
It became immediately apparent on Wednesday afternoon that the 6-foot-8 La Sallian big man was ready to back up his words.
Phillips erupted for 14 points in the first quarter alone as he replaced two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao in the starting lineup.
With the Green Archers mounting a fourth quarter comeback, Phillips delivered the final blow. He hit the go-ahead jump shot that helped La Salle recover from the brink of elimination and secure a 76-75 victory, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3.
Phillips finished Game 2 with a staggering 18-point, 12-rebound double-double.
However, the Filipino-American center emphasized that his work began on the defensive end – the same defense that La Salle has prided itself on since coach Topex Robinson took over the program.
“I think we just came into this game, we just tried to come back to our identity. And our identity is just defending,” Phillips explained.
“If our offense is struggling, I think they say ‘Walang malas sa depensa’ because it’s all about effort. So we just tried to come out and give all our effort, try to set the tone for our teammates off the bench, and it was really a five-man process.”
When La Salle appeared overwhelmed in the second half amid a deafening UP run, Phillips shared that the Green Archers’ faith and trust in each other kept their momentum going.
“Emotions were so high, I’m sure on both ends. When anxiety steps in, when nervousness steps in – like in that third quarter, that fourth quarter – you always have to find something that’s consistent. And that’s our faith. That’s our faith in Jesus Christ, that’s our faith in each other,” admitted the 22-year-old bruiser.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Phillips also revealed that the ultimate x-factor in La Salle’s comeback wasn’t any one of their five players on the court, but rather the energy of the DLSU crowd, which helped will the team back into the game.
“I say this time and time again, the La Salle crowd is there for us when we win. But when we’re losing, when we’re going through those hard parts, that’s when they show their true colors,” Phillips said, his voice filled with emotion.
“My ears were ringing when I looked at the crowd. Just being with them is something you can’t put into words.
“They’re screaming their lungs out, and it was just a sea of green. I think they’re really the reason why we pulled through – this ear-piercing support from them. Shouting defense, shouting during the timeouts – I couldn’t even hear what the coaches were saying. I think they’re the real reason we were able to be uplifted,” he continued.
As La Salle enters Game 3 with all momentum in their favor, Phillips plans to simply relish the moment with his brothers.
“Just enjoy it. I’m so excited, but I’m more excited because I’m going into it with a band of brothers, a band of coaches that will never abandon me and I’ll never abandon them,” shared the two-time Mythical Five member.
“So we’re going to go in there and just trust each other and have a really fun time.”
