THE MPBL is about to get its crown jewel.
Now a favorite jump-off point of collegiate standouts, the regional league is about to be the next destination for Mike Phillips, who sources bared is close to coming to terms with former MPBL champions Go for Gold-San Juan Knights.
'Motor Mike' has concluded an outstanding collegiate career with a second UAAP championship for the Dela Salle Green Archers and just last February was given the FIBA clearance to play for Gilas Pilipinas as a local player.
READ All the college standouts who have taken their acts to the MPBL
Sources bared that while the 6-foot-8 dynamo weighs his many options including those from overseas, he will be taking his act to the Go for Gold-San Juan Knights, who have not won an MPBL championship since their only title in 2019.
San Juan insiders bared Phillips has yet to sign while declining to comment on the state of the negotiations.
He now stands to become the biggest name among the many collegiate standouts who are debuting in the regional league in a year where the PBA will not be holding a rookie draft due to its prolonged season.
Another source bared San Juan’s sponsors and team backers like Six Pong Nine Bar of businessman/sportsman Monching Talisayon, Abella Industries, Go for Gold scratch cards and JMU Amosup have joined forces to help finance the acquisition of top-tier players for one of the oldest regional teams in the country starting during the MBA days.
Once signed, Phillips will be joined at San Juan by former UAAP rivals from the UP Maroons, namely Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano, and Reylan Torres as well as former Perpetual standout Patrick Sleat.
Sources bared that the Knights are also trying to secure seven-footer Greg Slaughter, who is now playing for the Zamboanga Valientes in a Melbourne pocket tournament after negotiations with PBA team Titan Ultra hit a roadblock.
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