MIKE Philips did live up to his moniker in Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup qualifiers showdown with Australia.
Needing the energy and hustle to perk up a Philippine team playing minus its best player and fresh from a heartbreaking overtime loss, Philips answered the call in the 92-49 Gilas loss to the No. 6 ranked team in the world.
‘Motor Mike’ emerged as the best rebounder for the night with 14 boards while doing his own share on the offensive end with six points.
READ Not even Brownlee could've changed Gilas fate vs Aussies, says Cone
No wonder, the 6-foot-7 forward earned a high grade from Gilas coach Tim Cone.
“He was one of the bright lights for us tonight. He was doing great especially in the first half. He was rebounding the heck out of the ball. And just playing. His nickname is ‘Motor Mike’ and there’s a reason for that,” said Cone of the two-time UAAP champion out of De La Salle.
“He plays with such a tremendous motor. And he’s all over the floor.”
And considering the 24-year-old Philips had to play in the third window against New Zealand and Australia with a slight injury suffered during Gilas’ two tune-up games prior to the final two games of the qualifier’s opening round.
That could explain why Philips suffered cramps late in the match against the Boomers.
“He got hurt in one of our friendlies coming to this game, so he’s playing with a gimpy ankle, and then he got hit by cramps late in the game, so we couldn’t keep him on the floor,” said Cone.
Judging by the way he played in his first FIBA-sanctioned tournament under Cone, Philips appears set to become a key part of the Gilas program moving forward.
“But he’s a young guy and he plays with so much enthusiasm. He’s very, very infectious and tonight it was less visible because of the score,” said Cone.
“But I think that’s just something that our fans are going to really appreciate as we move forward, watching him play with that kind of effort, and then watching the other guys get infected by it and continuing to play.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
