Michael Phillips wants the De La Salle Green Archers to remember one thing.
The last time they lost to the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament, it paved the way for a nine-game winning streak that catapulted them into the Finals for the first time since Season 80.
Phillips, who is in his third playing year, led La Salle with 19 points and nine rebounds.
However, it went in vain. La Salle was on the receiving end of a 97-67 whipping at the hands of UP.
It was a night when everything went wrong for the Green Archers. But they will have to shake this off immediately for them to stand a chance at forcing a rubber match for all the marbles.
“We got punched in the mouth today,” said the 21-year-old Filipino-American big man.
“We can’t let this break us. Katulad nung sinabi ko nung isang araw about yung streak namin, it started from a loss. We’re gonna try to do the same thing as much as we can.”
It is one thing to lose – but another thing to lose this way.
La Salle’s 30-point drubbing was the worst defeat for any team in the finals in the Final Four era.
The Fighting Maroons were utterly dominant in the game, and it may be difficult for the Green Archers to find a way back.
However, Phillips is looking forward to the chance of bouncing back in game two.
“You gotta give credit to UP,” the 6-foot-8 opined. “They played a great game. They’re very physical [and] they wanted it more than us. That’s something we can take as motivation.
“Everybody hates this taste. Ayoko talaga yung lasa na ‘to, lalo na pag La Salle-UP. Pero, yun nga, Sunday naman.”
