EVEN with a massive battle of his own looming, La Salle captain Mike Phillips carved out time from his packed schedule to watch their Animo Squad take the mats in Saturday’s UAAP Season 88 Cheerdance Competition.
Four days before the Green Archers collide with National U in a must-win Final Four meeting, Phillips sought a breather to step away from the grind before diving back into the high-stakes war awaiting them.
And while many see him as the soul of the the green-and-white, the graduating senior made sure to show up for those he calls the school’s ‘heartbeat.’
Indeed, the Animo Squad are the ones who lift them through the noise and the pressure, not just in jam-packed arenas on game days, but also apparently inside the Razon Gym following practices where every drill feels heavier than the last.
So in the midst of all that mounting tension, Phillips felt it was only right to be there for their biggest battle and return the same energy they’ve long poured into him and the entire La Salle program.
“We always see the Animo Squad. They’re always cheering for us every time in the games. We’re all so blessed to watch them after our trainings where they perform for us,” Phillips told SPIN.ph.
“Nakaka-boost naman sa’min ‘yung Animo spirit. They’re really the heartbeat of La Salle. It’s just so nice to come and see them as well. It also gives us extra motivation as well.”
Make your 'Motor Mike' proud
The baseball-inspired routine placed seventh in a crowded cheerdance field, but Phillips couldn’t be prouder after seeing firsthand the effort the squad poured into it.
“They did very well and I’m so happy. We got a chance to see a little bit of the behind the scenes as they were starting to go,” he said.
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“For them to come here and do their thing is something I’m really proud of.”
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