MIKE Phillips has long embodied humility as the immovable anchor of La Salle’s recent run of success in the UAAP.
Now riding into the sunset of his college career in Season 88, with hopes of delivering one final championship to Taft, the Green Archers’ skipper continues to impart lessons that stretch far beyond the stat sheet.
La Salle head coach Topex Robinson shared one moment that captured Phillips’ impact more than any box score ever could.
It came just days before the finals, when Phillips learned he had fallen short in the MVP race to Far Eastern University star guard Janrey Pasaol.
What followed, Robinson said, was a master class in grace.
“Mike was an example of being a servant-leader,” he recalled.
“He shared the other day about the MVP race and yes, he didn't get it, but what he shared with us was that sinabi sa kanya na hindi bibigay sa’yo kasi hindi ka pa ready. ‘Yun ‘yung naging fuel din namin.”
READ: La Salle takes fight out of UP to move a win away from regaining crown
That fuel burned hot in the green-and-white's strong start to the title series, as it seized Game One from the University of the Philippines, 74–70, on Wednesday.
Phillips wasn’t the statistical force he had been early in the season, finishing with seven points, nine boards, two assists, and a steal.
Captain Phillips, through and through
But Robinson stressed that this iteration of Phillips represents growth, not decline.
For the Green Archers' mentor, there is real power in a senior star who no longer needs to dominate the ball, but instead elevates everyone around him.
As he put it, “As you can see, Mike was not the Mike at the start of the season where he was always asking for the ball.”
“Now, Mike became a factor for these guys. I think collectively, that’s what's really not only giving us wins, but also getting us through these very, very challenging times in this season.”
In his final run, Phillips may not walk away with individual hardware, but as far as La Salle is concerned, his value has never been clearer: a veteran whose leadership is shaping a team now one win away from another UAAP crown.
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