What’s next for Mike?

MANILA, Philippines — Now that the collegiate chapter in his basketball career has ended, UAAP Finals MVP Mike Phillips is focused on completing his studies to earn a La Salle degree and taking the next step in his sports journey.

Phillips, 23, has six units left before fulfilling the requirements for a diploma in Marketing Management and is on his last stretch in school. As for his basketball career, he is closely coordinating with SBP in filing his player’s option declaration to be registered for national team competitions on the FIBA Management and Administration Platform (MAP).

Phillips won two UAAP championships with La Salle. This season, he averaged 13.3 points and 13.7 rebounds in the three-game title series against UP to gain Finals MVP honors. Phillips later gave his Finals MVP trophy and Game 3 net to La Salle patron Raffy Villavicencio in appreciation for the Villavicencio family’s support. “From the day I arrived in the Philippines in 2019, I was warmly welcomed by the Villavicencios in their home and they became my second family,” he said. “With God’s grace, I wouldn’t have achieved what I did for La Salle if not for the Villavicencios.”

Phillips traces his Filipino roots to his grandmother Carmelita Colina who was from Mabolo, Cebu City. “Through my mother’s cousin Tita Brida, I learned about different schools in the Philippines as she went to UST,” he said. “I met former UAAP players in camps of the Filipino-American Youth Basketball Association hosted by the Northeast American Basketball Association, an organization that connects Filipinos in cities across Canada and the US.”

Phillips, who speaks fluent Pilipino, has participated in outreach programs for the youth in Malate and Manila. As a way to give back to the community, he has assisted in hosting several basketball camps like the Hope Youth Basketball, Laro Para Sa Diyos and events in partnership with P.U.S.O Foundation. “One of the greatest honors in my life and career as a basketball player was the opportunity to represent the Philippines at the 2023 SEA Games,” he said.

Phillips is exploring options to play in overseas leagues and MPBL before applying for the PBA draft in 2027. His brother Ben said there is interest from Japan, Australia and Germany.