Fresh off winning the UAAP championship and claiming the Finals MVP honors, De La Salle University Green Archers standout Mike Phillips has already set his sights on a bigger goal: suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas.
Recently, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) approved an amendment to its eligibility rules, raising the passport acquisition cutoff from 16 to 18 years old. Under the new ruling, players who obtained a passport before turning 18 are now eligible to represent that country in international competitions.
While Phillips declined to disclose the age at which he acquired his Philippine passport, he was clear about his desire to one day play for the national team.
“Talagang pangarap ’yan, you know? But I know it’s all in God’s timing. I don’t want to rush anything because, of course, I still need to earn my spot on the team,” Phillips said in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times. “Just based on my experience from the SEA Games, it’s a different kind of experience.”
“Ibang klase talaga ’yung naramdaman ko noong nasa SEA Games ako. Right now, I’m also praying for the SEA Games and for all the athletes. Hopefully, God willing, if He allows it to happen, I’d be ecstatic to play for Gilas one day,” he added.
Despite capping his collegiate career on a high note, Phillips emphasized that representing the Philippines in front of Filipino fans remains one of his ultimate aspirations.
“You talk about international, pero parang kahit saan ka pumunta, ginagawang home court ng mga Filipino ang abroad, ’di ba?” he recalled. “Noong nasa Cambodia kami, parang punong-puno ng mga kababayan natin doon.”
“’Yun talaga ’yung nakakataba ng puso kapag naglalaro ka para sa Gilas. Me being in La Salle, me being part of something big myself—but it doesn’t get any bigger than playing for your country,” Phillips concluded.
