Mike Phillips of the De La Salle Green Archers delivered an exceptional performance for De La Salle University following the holiday break in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournaments.
Providing a crucial boost to their teams’ perfect weeks, Phillips was voted as the Collegiate Press Corps’ (CPC) UAAP Men’s Player of the Week, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), for the period of November 3 to 10.
Phillips edged out FEU’s Mo Konateh in a hotly-contested vote, Adamson’s AJ Fransman, and UST’s Nic Cabañero for the weekly honor, supported Discovery Suites and World Balance as minor sponsors.
The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks in DLSU’s 2-0 week, making him the top choice among reporters in the men’s tournament.
Phillips stepped up for the Green Archers against FEU, filling the void on a rare off night from reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao and recorded 17 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, five steals, and two blocks in a hard-fought 58-53 victory.
“I’m just so happy with my role that coach [Topex Robinson] gave me,” said Phillips, who scored 11 of his 17 points in the final quarter against the Tamaraws.
“I just try to be one of the leaders on the defense and the energy, and a lot of times I still struggle with my offensive end, and sometimes too much energy, and it’s not channeled the right way, but that’s why I trust in my teammates.”
Even as Quiambao found his usual lethal form, Phillips still followed up with another double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, along with an assist and a steal, in the defending champions’ 77-66 victory over their growing rivals, the UP Fighting Maroons.
