MANILA, Philippines — From a hopeless case, two-time UAAP champion and former La Salle star Mike Phillips can’t help but be reminded of God’s goodness in his life which now allows him to represent the Philippines on the big stage.
Addressing sportswriters during Monday night’s Media Day and Gilas sendoff, the 6-foot-8 Phillips recalled how a doctor once disclosed to him a crushing news that he might not be able play “the game that he loves” anymore after five brain injuries.
“I remember, the doctor said, after five brain injuries, that I might not be able to play basketball after this,” Phillips recalled in Filipino during the presser held at the Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
“But now I can play for our country, and the reason for that is only by God’s grace. And the chance for me to play is a big blessing so I want to make the most out of it.” Phillips was named to the Gilas Final 12 last week, as the Philippines clashes with New Zealand and Australia in a pair of road games for the final window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers this July.
Brain concussions hit the former La Salle big man nicknamed “Motor Mike”, during his high school days, but as he said, through God’s miracle and grace, was able to find his way to play in the UAAP later in college.
Now, after winning two championships in the UAAP and emerging as the Finals Most Valuable Player in 2025, Phillips is excited to play for Gilas as a local player, hoping he could contribute as the national squad battles these two known Oceania powerhouse basketball teams.
But the athletic Filipino-American has big shoes to fill, considering top young big man Kai Sotto won’t be with the team as he prepares for the NBA Summer League this July.
“It’s really a big thing (to play) for Gilas, that's a big time. And to be a (classified as a) local (player), that’s my dream and that’s what I’ve worked for for several years,” added the 24-year-old Phillips.
Phillips has been practicing with the team for nearly a week now, and thus far, he likes the mix of veterans and young ones in the Gilas team.
“I like the chemistry of the team and some, I kind of know them already,” he said. “Of course, I’ve been watching the games for years and then, RJ (Abarrientos), Carl (Tamayo), I’ve played against them (in college).” Before being named to the Gilas final 12, Phillips played for the Philippine team in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, helping the national squad regain the men’s basketball gold by beating host nation Cambodia in the finals.