Mike Phillips is getting his Gilas Pilipinas call-up—and the timing could not be more critical.
The last UAAP Finals MVP and two-time UAAP champion is set to begin an exposure program with the national team at FEU Diliman, according to veteran scribe Quinito Henson. It is also the first step toward joining the Gilas Pilipinas pool as it prepares for the third FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window from June 29 to July 6.
Sean Chambers Tasked to Guide Mike Phillips
Head coach Tim Cone confirmed he has already spoken with the 6-foot-8 center-forward, assigning assistant coach Sean Chambers to brief the former De La Salle University standout on the nuances of the national team’s offensive system. The two had already linked up at the Playtime Filoil Center before the La Salle-FEU game last Friday to align schedules, with Chambers confirmed to join Phillips at FEU Diliman for his first official exposure session.
For Phillips, the call is exactly what it sounds like.
“Such a big blessing,” he said. “So much to look forward to. Just have to continue to work hard.”
Phillips is currently suiting up for the San Juan Knights in the MPBL, where he is averaging 9.0 points and 11.1 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per game—numbers that reflect a big man still sharpening his professional game in a league that demands a different kind of toughness.
“It’s physical in the MPBL and I’m learning a lot,” Phillips said of his time at the Manny Pacquiao-backed regional league.
Mike Phillips Is a Timely Reinforcement
The learning curve is about to steepen considerably. Gilas heads into the third qualifying window shorthanded by circumstance. Quentin Millora-Brown is sidelined recovering from back surgery. Kai Sotto will reportedly be in the NBA Summer League from July 9 to 19, which overlaps enough with preparations to complicate availability. And Calvin Oftana—who is playing through a foot infection among other maladies in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals—will be resting on doctors’ advice.
The schedule is unforgiving. Gilas faces New Zealand on July 3 and Australia on July 6, both on the road—two of the more difficult assignments in the Asia qualifying bracket. After that comes the fourth window from August 27 to 31, the Nagoya Asian Games from September 19 to October 4, the fifth window from November 26 to 30, and the sixth window from February 25 to March 1 next year.
It is a long road. Mike Phillips is just getting on it.
