TIM Cone is naturally thrilled with FIBA’s decision to finally recognize Mike Phillips as a local eligible to play straight away for Gilas Pilipinas.
READ: FIBA formally classifies Mike Phillips as Philippine local
And in as much as he would have wanted the La Salle star to become a part of the national team pool right away, Phillips coming on board will have to wait until at least the second half of the year.
With the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers just a few days away, it’s obvious the 26-year-old Fil-Am can no longer be added to the roster, since it’s way past the deadline for submission of the preliminary lineup.
It’s from that initial roster where the final 12 will be selected by Cone for this week’s window.
“Everything came together just a little too late for this window,” said the Gilas coach.
The FIBA approval on Philips’ eligibility came on Saturday, as relayed by FIBA secretary-general Andreas Zagkilis to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy.
Time to get 'Motor Mike' running
According to the SBP, the decision was effective immediately, meaning had Phillips been included in the preliminary roster submitted earlier, the 6-foot-6 Finals MVP of the last UAAP season would have been eligible to play for the national team in the second window against New Zealand on Feb. 26 and Australia on March 1.
As things stand, Phillips entry to Gilas could come by July in time for the final window of the first round when the Filipinos plays the Tall Blacks and Boomers on the road.
“Definitely, we’d like him for the next window,” said Cone.
The length of time would also give Philips the opportunity to learn Cone’s system with Gilas, although the two had already worked together in the national team when the former suited up for the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia. The latter was then the lead deputy of head coach Chot Reyes.
At the moment, Phillips is also in Florida and wouldn’t be able to join Gilas even from the sidelines.
“He’s in the States (now) and we have only three practices (left) before we play,” said Cone when asked about a chance of Phillips showing up to practices prior to this week’s window.
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