MANILA – Michael Phillips is set to make his long-awaited debut in a FIBA-sanctioned tournament after securing a place in the final 12-man roster of Gilas Pilipinas for the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month in New Zealand and Australia.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) named Phillips to the national team lineup as the Philippines seeks to strengthen its frontline amid the absence of several key big men. The former De La Salle University standout joins Justine Baltazar and Jeth Troy Rosario in reinforcing Gilas’ interior rotation for crucial road games against New Zealand and Australia.
Phillips’ inclusion comes as Gilas deals with significant roster challenges. Quentin Millora-Brown and Calvin Oftana are sidelined by injuries, while Kai Sotto is expected to miss the qualifying window as he pursues opportunities in the NBA Summer League.
Currently seeing action for San Juan Knights-Go for Gold in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), Phillips continues his steady rise in the national team program after FIBA officially classified him as a local player earlier this year.
The 6-foot-8 forward-center previously represented the Philippines in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and now stands on the verge of achieving another milestone in his basketball career.
Phillips, the UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player during his collegiate stint with De La Salle, has been actively participating in Gilas training sessions and is expected to provide rebounding, defensive energy, and rim protection for the national squad.
“Naaalala ko, sabi ng doctor baka hindi ka na makapaglaro ng basketball after this,” recalled Phillips, who suffered multiple brain-related injuries during his playing career.
“But ngayon makakapaglaro pa po ako para sa bansa natin,” added the 6-foot-8 big man. “Yung pagkakataon na ito napakalaking blessing, kaya gusto kong sulitin talaga.”
Also named to the roster are naturalized player Justin Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, Rhon Jay Abarrientos, and Juan Gomez de Liaño.
Gilas Pilipinas will face New Zealand and Australia in the July qualifying window as it continues its campaign toward the FIBA Basketball World Cup./PN
