AFTER a disappointing end to last season, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers look to maximize team captain Mike Phillips’ final year, as he fill Kevin Quiambao’s shoes. Still, the challenge is a steep one.
Reclaiming the championship from the UP Fighting Maroons will be a tougher challenge this year, with the Green Archers entering a new chapter—one that no longer includes the former two-time UAAP MVP Quiambao.
In addition, UAAP Season 88 appears wide open, as no past champion seems guaranteed a swift return to dominance, especially with nearly every team boasting deeper and more talented rosters this year.
While losing your main man can be a tough blow—especially after falling short in a grueling three-game finals series—the Green Archers have consistently shown through the years that they never run out of star talent.
Team First
Now stepping onto the court are the long-awaited “Residency Boys”: Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo, alongside blue chip recruit and former NCAA Juniors MVP Lebron Jhames Daep.
Still, despite the roster’s depth, Mike Phillips stressed during the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Basketball Press Conference on Monday that the team is fully committed to embracing coach Topex Robinson’s system.
“That’s always going to be the elephant in the room when you first have your team put together,” Phillips told select media members in an interview. “But that’s something that they really taken personal, in terms of buying in and sacrificing for the team.”
“Seeing them sacrifice and put the team before them really sets the tone for everybody. Because we know how great they are, we know what they can do and provide. But they continuously put that aside for the betterment of the team, and that really speaks volumes to what kind of person they are.”
“And it’s really genuine, because you can see it off the court. And I credit to them a lot the culture that we have now, which is just so amazing. It really takes a lot to sacrifice but they’ve done it time and time again,” he added.
KQ’s Legacy Lives On
Speaking of Quiambao, La Salle’s current team captain believes his legacy will be remembered at the university for years to come. Now, the challenge lies with Phillips to carry that legacy forward and create one of his own in the process.
“Kevin Quiambao may have left, but what he left for team is really that inspirational work ethic. That’s something that, I believe, an impact that would last in La Salle for many, many more years,” Phillips highlighted.
“For me, as a captain, it’s really just try to pick up where he left off in terms of that. And really just try to bring everyone together, cause this is my final year. What I’m really happy is, hindi ako nag-iisa sa trabaho na ‘yon. Marami akong veterans, marami akong katulong.”
“Even though I’m technically the team captain, these guys are leading me as well. They’re leading my faith, we’re leading each other. Iron sharpens iron. We’re trying to sharpen each other everyday,” he went on to say.
MVP Season?
In the previous season, Phillips trailed behind Quiambao in the MVP race, posting averages of 12.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, finishing the eliminations with 74.929 statistical points.
Although capturing the championship remains DLSU’s top priority, the 6-foot-8 big man shared that earning an individual award would be a welcome bonus—provided he deserves it and is ready to put in the work for the team.
“God willing,” he said when asked about winning the MVP. “For us, KQ really set such a high standard, and that’s something that really pushes me, pushes the team everytime. Hindi lang si KQ, those veterans we had are all MVPs.”
“Even though the MVP only went to KQ, he really showed us that we’re all MVPs in our own respective things. And one of the things I learned from coach Topex is that doing what’s best for the team, it really challenges you, it really gets hard.”
“And I just get a lot of inspiration from KQ, and I really believe that a testament to his all-star work was those two MVPs. So I’ll try my best to also do that, and really do as much as I can to help lead the team,” he added.
The talk is over—it’s time for the DLSU Green Archers to prove what they can do without Quiambao as they begin their title redemption campaign against the gritty Adamson Soaring Falcons on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
