Newly-acquired San Juan Knights recruit Mike Phillips will make his MPBL debut against Cebu at Cuneta Astrodome on Thursday with four former UAAP rivals from UP as teammates in a merger of collegiate solidarity.
“They welcomed me with open arms,” said Phillips, referring to Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, Terrence Fortea and Gerry Abadiano. “Reyland was first to reach out on IG. We talked about the UAAP finals. After we beat UP this season, Reyland went to church in Tagaytay and cried. It was the same feeling we had at La Salle when we lost to UP the year before. That’s all in the past. We’re teammates now and I’m finding out good things about them I never knew like Harold being so funny and kulit.”
Phillips landed here Wednesday night from San Francisco then went to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s home in San Juan where the team celebrated his arrival. The next day, he was at practice and joined the viewing conducted by coach Alex Angeles. Phillips sat out San Juan’s season opener in Caloocan last Friday to get over jet lag.
Phillips said what brought him back home was the opportunity to play for Gilas. “Coach Josh (Reyes) has been communicating with me and I plan to also connect with coach Sean (Chambers),” he said. “I hope to get a chance to join Gilas. KQ messaged and I’m excited if we could play together again.”
At the moment, Phillips’ focus is winning a championship with San Juan whose home colors are now green and white from red and blue. Sen. Estrada said the change was made before Phillips joined but it turned out to be a propitiously welcome sign for the Green Archer star.
