The Abra Weavers may have just found the perfect challenger for the MPBL championship: the San Juan Knights. After news broke that former La Salle Green Archers’ ace Mike Phillips has joined an already star-studded lineup for MPBL Season 8, it seems that the Knights, who won the championship in 2019, are going to reclaim their throne over the defending champs from the north.
Motor Mike Phillips Changes Trajectory
After winning his second UAAP title for the La Salle Green Archers, Mike Phillips signed with an international sports agency, Tresports Management, on December 29, 2025, to bolster his chances of landing a better career overseas. Unsurprisingly, Motor Mike reportedly drew interest from teams in the NBL (Australia), B.League (Japan), and even from the prestigious EuroLeague.
While the former King Archer plotted his professional future, he was finally recognized as a FIBA local as well and is now eligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas—no doubt a great addition to the national team that needs all the talent it can get.
At the time, it seemed that playing for another league in the Philippines was far-fetched—not until March 2026, when he signed with San Juan in what many believe is a surprising, if not shocking, move.
San Juan’s Got Next
Obviously, Mike Phillips will be bringing a lot for San Juan. His 6-foot-8 frame and nearly unmatched collegiate experience may be too much for a lot of players in MPBL, a league that now employs a handful of former PBA veterans and retired stars.
Phillips, 23, was all sorts of fantastic in college. In seven games in Season 88, for instance, Motor Mike averaged 13.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while also leading the Green Archers to the title. Furthermore, the two-time champ led the ladder in terms of Statistical Points (SPs) after gathering a total of 84.429 SPs, just narrowly losing the ultra-competitive MVP race to FEU’s Janrey Pasaol.
His tangibles (scoring, rebounding, defense) already make him an MVP-caliber player in MPBL. Not to mention, he’s already got the size and physical tools to become one, and perhaps beat Abra’s Dave Ildefonso next season.
Motor Mike is also a sought-after piece for Gilas, which already speaks volumes. But the best part of his game is the intangibles—his determination fueled by his guts and faith. Phillips isn’t exactly a player who would blow everyone away like Kai Sotto or Carl Tamayo, but his UAAP accolades tell otherwise: two UAAP championships, three-time Mythical Five member, Season 88 Finals MVP, and almost winning the Season 87 MVP.
Mike Phillips Has Got Help—Lots of It
What’s scary is that Mike Phillips will not be alone in San Juan in terms of talent and UAAP pedigree. He’ll also be joined by four former UP Fighting Maroons who were part of the “Maroon 5” that gave Motor Mike’s La Salle a run for their money last season.
The Knights definitely mean business this season, capping off their busy offseason with the Mike Phillips signing after already getting Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres on board. Both Fortea and Torres have been extremely fun to watch in the preseason and look like they’re going to be key pieces for the Knights moving forward. They’ll have former NCAA stalwart Patrick Sleat for added firepower.
To top it all off, San Juan still has its ever-reliable veterans like Orlan Wamar Jr., Michael Calisaan, and PBA legend Reynel Hugnatan.
So, does that make the San Juan Knights title contenders? The short answer is an emphatic yes.
Will they dethrone the Abra Weavers? We’ll find out soon enough.
