IT seemed like another day at the office for Mike Phillips in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament following a stellar double-double of 12 points and 18 rebounds in La Salle's well-earned win against resurgent University of Sto. Tomas.
But results aside, the oft-upbeat Green Archer was rather somber and crestfallen as he bared having to play this game with a heavy heart.
READ: La Salle runs away from UST in second half to rise to 5-1
Phillips broke down in tears at the end of their post-win interview, as he took a moment to honor the late Doleo Susalta, the longtime security guard at La Salle’s on-campus team dormitory in Taft Ave.
Beyond keeping an eye and ensuring the Green Archers’ safety at all times, Susalta meant much more to Phillips.
A brother forever
It was a close connection that ran deep, as Susalta was the one to teach 'Motor Mike' all about Filipino culture, which included learning how to speak Ilonggo and sing the classic folk song ‘Dandansoy.’
“We have a dorm, and his job was to be a guard there, but he always did so much and a lot of times, he did a lot of night duty. He would just do the extra effort for us to make sure we're taken care of, more than just keeping us safe,” an emotional Phillips shared.
“He just recently passed out of nowhere. He was healthy. He was one of my closest friends. I met him here, ever since I first came here in the summer and he's been one of my closest people.”
And in his darkest moments, Phillips would turn to Susalta to keep his heart and faith in check.
As he put it, “When I was really in dark places before, I don't know why, God just kind of brought us together, and he was always open. He would never turn a blind eye to me, or he would never turn his back to me."
“He would always listen to anything I had, and I learned so much from him about what it means to be a Christian here. He really taught a lot, and he was so open.”
Honoring his legacy
For Phillips, it won’t just be La Salle’s latest win over UST which he’ll offer to ‘one of his closest friends.’
He vowed to be there for Susalta's bereaved family and honor the legacy of kindness and generosity that he’s always felt since he first set foot in the Philippines.
“Last night, I was just in a dark place and I saw the most beautiful sunset after training. I knew it was him. So if you guys have any spare time, please pray for his family. I was playing for him tonight," he said.
Phillips added: “He introduced me to his family, his wife, his two kids, and they just recently started college at UP. He’s just someone that meant a lot to me.:
“If you're listening to this, my friend, I love you, and I hope to see you soon, and I will take care of your family.”
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.
