WINNERS get the glory; but how you handle defeat truly defines character.
Time and time again, La Salle big man Mike Phillips never failed to show grace while bearing the pain of loss.
"First thing that went to my mind after the loss was thank you, Lord; thank you, God; thank you, Jesus," he said after the Green Archers' 66-62 loss to the UP Maroons in deciding Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball finals.
READ Mike Phillips leaves no doubt he's returning for final year in La Salle
Although gutted, not once did 'Motor Mike' show any sign of bitterness from the loss; he preferred to look at the bright side.
"Just by being in this atmosphere, being part of this beautiful crowd, both sides, I really give my flowers to the UP community, the entire community," he said.
Phillips was touched by the respect and graciousness both sides showed at the end of one of the most fiercely fought finals in league history.
"In the end, UP showed their respect, it's still a game, and from there, you can really see the hearts of Filipinos," the Fil-Am forward said. "I have most respect to everyone, it was an amazing experience,"
The MVP candidate's heart, of course, still belongs to the green and white, and he assured that he will be around next season for a redemption tour.
"I want to give our flowers to our community, that's the loudest we've ever been part of," he said. "God has led me to La Salle, my biggest leap of faith was coming here. It was nothing unclear to me, I'm gonna play my heart out for [La Salle] every single game next year."
In his lowest point, Phillips remembers an encounter that kept him grounded, dead set on what he calls his 'bigger purpose' in playing basketball.
"My 'why' is Jesus Christ, what I want is when people see me, my family, I want them to see Jesus Christ's love," he said.
He continued: "A couple of days ago, we just finished practice around 6 p.m., I talked to a student, and he said, 'Hey, I'm first in line.' I said, 'For what?' and he said for the tickets as it's selling tomorrow.
"It was 6 p.m., and the tickets don't start selling until 10 or 11 a.m. tomorrow. Those are the things that flashed through my mind after the loss, if I was alone, I couldn't take this, but God has placed many things around [me] to prepare [me] for times like this."
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