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De La Salle University's Mike Phillips in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Finals, December 15, 2024 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. UAAP Media/File

De La Salle University's Mike Phillips in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Finals, December 15, 2024 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

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UAAP Season 87

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758017414707UAAP87 MBB - MIKE PHILLIPS-9761.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="De La Salle University&#x27;s Mike Phillips in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men&#x27;s basketball Finals, December 15, 2024 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. UAAP Media/File"/>De La Salle University&#x27;s Mike Phillips in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men&#x27;s basketball Finals, December 15, 2024 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. UAAP Media/File</div>MANILA -- With De La Salle University aiming to bring an 11th UAAP basketball crown to Taft, big man Mike Phillips has embraced his role as the captain of their star-studded team for Season 88.Big names such as Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, and Mason Amos set to fill the void left by Season 87 MVP Kevin Quiambao, but it is up to the veteran Phillips to bring together a squad full of talent.For Phillips,  the occasional doubts regarding his team were always what he called the &quot;elephant in the room&quot; during the offseason.&quot;That&#x27;s something that of course is always going to be the elephant in the room [even] when we first had the team put together,&quot; Phillips said.Despite their stacked lineup, &quot;Motor Mike&quot; says that the team has put their personal pride aside for the sake of bringing home what matters most to not just the team but to the community -- another UAAP title.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/15/as-uaap-eyes-early-end-to-season-88-hoops-phillips-envisions-another-possible-gilas-stint-2128">READ: As UAAP eyes early end to Season 88 hoops, Phillips envisions another possible Gilas stint</a></div>&quot;We know how great they are, we know what they can do and what they can provide [for the  team] but they continuously put that aside for the betterment of the team,&quot;  Phillips said.&quot;That really speaks volumes to what kind of person they are and it&#x27;s genuine, it&#x27;s a genuine feeling because you can see it on the court,&quot; he added.Phillips also says that despite the departure of Quiambao, he and the team continue to live by  the former Green Archer&#x27;s work ethic and commitment both on and off the court in an effort to unite the team.The 6-foot-10 center, who is set to graduate this year, is also happy as he believes that even though their two-time MVP has graduated, the lessons he shared with them continues to resonate with the Green Archers.&quot;Kevin Quiambao, he may have left but what he left for the team is that inspirational work ethic and that&#x27;s something that I believe [will last] in La Salle for many many more years,&quot; Phillips said.&quot;Hindi ako nag-iisa sa trabaho na iyon, marami akong veterans, marami akong tulong, and even though I&#x27;m technically team captain these guys are leading me as well,&quot; the Green Archer captain said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/15/uaap-heartbreak-from-the-sidelines-fuels-baclaan-new-archers-redemption-bid-1000">READ: Heartbreak from the sidelines fuels Baclaan, new Archers’ redemption bid</a></div>Apart from KQ&#x27;s work ethic, Phillips also said that the team has continued to embrace their relationship with God especially during the offseason, a habit that Phillips himself takes to heart.Having been known as a religious individual both on and off the court, Phillips continues to take inspiration from the word of God in hopes that it will sharpen both him and his team this upcoming season.&quot;They&#x27;re leading me in my faith [and] we&#x27;re leading each other. Just how it is said in Proverbs, iron sharpens iron, and so we&#x27;re trying to sharpen each other every day,&quot; Phillips said&quot;And so for me to be able to do my best, to embody what Jesus is and what Jesus&#x27; love is it also affects my teammates because they see &quot;hey, I&#x27;m trying my best, we&#x27;re trying our best to really develop something here&quot;,&quot; he added.Apart from hoping to unite the team through faith and bringing home another title, the La Salle big man also wishes to inspire people and players towards Jesus this upcoming season.&quot;Jesus has been such a big role [model], he has been the role [model] for us, he&#x27;s our foundation and for me, I realize now that this year it&#x27;s not only about playing basketball, it&#x27;s not only about winning a championship,&quot; Phillips said.&quot;Syempre nandiyan naman yung goal namin [to win the championship] pero we recognize that the UAAP is [also] a platform to inspire,&quot; he added.Phillips and  the Green Archers will start their UAAP Season 88 journey with a clash against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

With De La Salle University aiming to bring an 11th UAAP basketball crown to Taft, big man Mike Phillips has embraced his role as the captain of their star-studded team for Season 88.

With De La Salle University aiming to bring an 11th UAAP basketball crown to Taft, big man Mike Phillips has embraced his role as the captain of their star-studded team for Season 88.

Aiming for the crown: Mike Phillips captains star-studded La Salle through teamwork, sacrifice, and faith

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Aiming for the crown: Mike Phillips captains star-studded La Salle through teamwork, sacrifice, and faith

Johann Paulus Coronel,

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

Published Sep 17, 2025 09:00 AM PHT

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