MIKE Phillips wasted no time sending a statement for his highly-anticipated professional debut.
The San Juan big flirted with a triple-double, finishing with nine points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists to power the Knights to an 81-73 win over the Cebu Greats.
READ: San Juan holds off Cebu, gives Mike Phillips a winning MPBL debut
But beyond the numbers, it was the moment finally sinking in and the people behind him that defined his MPBL arrival.
“Parang ngayon ko lang talaga na-set in na, ah, pro talaga ’to,” Phillips admitted to SPIN.ph. “Medyo kabado ako noong una, pero alam ko na ngayon na maraming nasa likod ko. Yung mga kuya ko dito sa team, maganda talaga yung tinutulong nila sa akin.”
That support system showed right away, as the 6-foot-8 energizer anchored San Juan on both ends even as he was still easing into his new team.
The 'Motor's' mentor
Alongside his unwavering belief that 'God did,' 'Motor Mike' leaned on preparation and guidance from veterans to steady himself, especially with the transition to the pro ranks altogether a different beast.
“Maganda talaga yung mga practices namin before this game. I had isang week na kasama yung team, so naghanda ako with them,” he said.
More importantly, he found a mentor in 20-year PBA veteran Reynel Hugnatan, whose presence has already made a lasting impression on the young big.
“Before the first game, lumapit siya sa akin. Kinwento niya yung basketball career niya at yung mga natutunan niya,” Phillips recalled of his first interactions with the one-time PBA champion with Meralco. “Marami din akong tanong sa kanya at talagang open siya sa akin.”
For Phillips, having access to a seasoned pro like Hugnatan is something he doesn’t take lightly.
“Napakalaking bagay kasi rare yung ganung resource, yung naglalaro at nagpe-perform pa rin at a high level. Tinatanong ko siya kung ano yung mga sikreto niya tapos tinuturo niya sa akin,” he said.
And this continued willingness to learn also keeps making believers on his new squad.
“Kailangan ko talagang maging sponge kasi grabe yung opportunity na makasama ko yung mga beterano,” the UAAP Season 88 Finals MVP added.
"Sabi ko, ituro niyo lang sa akin yung mga alam ninyo para maging successful din ako. Alam ko na marami pa akong matututunan sa kanila.”
Phillips' new bandmates
Adding even more color to his debut was how Phillips found himself teaming up with players he once dueled in college: the University of the Philippines 'Maroon 4' of Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres.
“Noong una, talagang nanibago ako. Pero noong nagpa-practice kami, feeling ko nagba-bond kami dahil sa competitive spirits namin,” he said.
Indeed, those former rivalries have since turned into chemistry, with a shared goal replacing past battles.
“Na-realize ko na pareho lang yung goal namin, wala nang bad blood. Sila talaga yung tumanggap sa akin dito sa team,” he said.
And that newfound trust has already translated on the court, where Phillips has embraced the dirty work.
“Sabi ko, tira lang kayo, ako na bahala sa rebounds para sa inyo,” he said.
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