Phillips set to join Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Last season’s UAAP Finals MVP and two-time UAAP champion Mike Phillips will begin an exposure program with Gilas at FEU Diliman today preparatory to joining the national pool getting ready for the third FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window on June 29 to July 6.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone said he spoke with Phillips the other day and assigned assistant coach Sean Chambers to brief the former La Salle star on the nuances of the national team’s offense. “I scheduled Mike to join me at FEU Diliman (this morning),” confirmed Chambers. Phillips and Chambers met up to align schedules at the Playtime Filoil Center before the La Salle-FEU game last Friday.

Phillips said playing for Gilas is “such a big blessing…so much to look forward to…just have to continue to work hard.” The 6-10 center-forward is now playing for the San Juan Knights in the MPBL where he’s averaging nine points, 11.1 rebounds and 24.7 minutes. “It’s physical in the MPBL and I’m learning a lot,” he said.

Gilas will be short-handed in the coming window without Quentin Millora-Brown (recovering from back surgery), Kai Sotto (playing in the NBA Summer League on July 9-19) and Calvin Oftana (on doctors’ advice to rest after the PBA Finals). Gilas will play New Zealand on July 3 and Australia on July 6, both on the road. Gilas will also see action in the fourth window on Aug. 27-31, Asian Games on Sept. 19-Oct. 4, fifth window on Nov. 26-30 and sixth window on Feb. 25-March 1 next year.