Mike Phillips is headed to the Japan B.League by way of the Kyoto Hannaryz.
If the Hannaryz ring a bell to Filipino basketball fans, it’s because it is the same team that once employed Jamie Malonzo, formerly of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and himself a Gilas Pilipinas player.
As “Motor Mike” begins a new chapter in his career, can he accomplish more than the team’s former Asian import, Jamie Malonzo?
Jamie Malonzo’s Short Stint with Kyoto Hannaryz
Malonzo’s stint with Kyoto was short-lived, as he played only five games before being released in October 2025. It was also uneventful and unremarkable.
In those five appearances, Malonzo averaged 1.2 points and 1.0 rebound in just 5.8 minutes per game before he and the team mutually agreed to part ways.
Fortunately for the 29-year-old, he was able to continue his career in Japan after signing a one-year contract with Earthfriends Tokyo Z.
Mike Phillips Enters the Frame
Now, essentially, the Hannaryz will be looking to Phillips to provide what Malonzo couldn’t as an Asian import.
For one, Kyoto is likely looking for someone to augment its frontcourt. Based on the team’s official roster announcement, Phillips is one of only three frontcourt players, alongside Charles Jackson and Angelo Caloiaro. Phillips would slot right in as a rebounder, rim protector, and finisher under the basket.
During his most recent stint with Gilas Pilipinas, the former two-time UAAP champion from La Salle averaged 4.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 17.7 minutes per game against New Zealand and Australia. He also showed he can play against bigger, equally athletic big men as he mixed it up with the bigs of the Tall Blacks and Boomers.
More importantly, the former member of the Philippines’ 2023 SEA Games gold medal-winning team has shown that he can be highly effective without the ball in his hands. His relentless energy, hustle plays, rebounding, and defensive effort have consistently been the biggest strengths of his game.
From that vantage point alone, it is already highly likely that Phillips, unlike Malonzo, will get extended minutes—and, therefore, chances to contribute to the team. Again, he will probably be relied upon for rebounding, interior defense, and the occasional finishes around the rim.
If Mike Phillips stays in Japan for the full duration of his two-year contract, the Filipino-American big man has every opportunity to establish himself as one of the most successful Filipino players to make an impact in the B.League.
