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UAAP: Michael Phillips eager to take on leadership role for La Salle


Michael Phillips La Salle

FILE – La Salle’s Michael Phillips in UAAP Season 84. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Determined to lead the way for La Salle, Michael Phillips hopes to set a good example for his teammates during the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament, which opens Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

As a sophomore, the 6-foot-8 central defender wants to take the helm this season following the departure of their former senior, Justine Baltazarand senior Kurt Lojera.

“This is my second season. I want to be the leader of the team,” Phillips said in Filipino. “It’s something I’ve been saying since last season ended and it’s something that I really want to add to my game and help my teammates be great their way, really use my experience to help them.”

The Filipino-American major, who scored 8.13 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.31 blocks, 1.25 assists and 1.06 steals during his rookie season, won the myth year award as a silver lining for them heartbreaking loss to the University of the Philippines in the Final Four.

During last Wednesday’s press conference, Coaches were asked about possible MVP contenders this season. And Phillips was always on Ateneo’s head coach Tab Baldwin’s mind.

But sophomore Green Archer is receiving praise in his move, keeping his focus on helping La Salle reach the top of Season 85.

“For sure I am grateful for the many compliments and many things, but we used everything as motivation and it brought the team together. he said.

BETTER CHEMICALS

La Salle emerged as a championship contender this season after it dominated the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, won a bronze medal in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, and trained in Japan for corrections matches. more attentive.

“As Evan (Nelle) said, our team’s relationship has really improved this season. That’s what we have in every game, we have fun together and there’s nothing better than being with those men,” Phillips said.

Although they are rated as one of the teams to beat this season, Phillips does not let the pre-season achievements and praise overflow.

“We are still a young team but we already have a year of experience. Just being together, knowing who you’re playing for, playing for the Animo spirit, and that’s something that we can use as fuel,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll see more community here and that’s something that will give us the impetus to do it all the way.”

The Green Archers began their campaign against the UP that broke their hearts last season.

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