A blessing: Phillips says on what’s on his plate

MANILA, Philippines — When one door closes, another opens.

La Salle center Mike Phillips is approaching the UAAP Season 88 finals with that mentality after missing the opportunity to render duty to the national team in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this week in Thailand.

“Syempre, parang nahirapan ako noong una but I give all graces to God. I know his plans and will be praying for our SEA Games athletes competing around the same time,” Phillips told The STAR after steering La Salle to a third straight UAAP finale against titleholder UP. The best-of-three series starts tomorrow.

Philips was originally included in coach Norman Black’s wish list for the SEA Games along with other collegiate players with the unavailability of the Gilas players under coach Tim Cone.

But the only way for Phillips to come on board could have been through an early exit by La Salle. While no one was hoping for that, it also did not help that Thailand enforced a “passport only” for player eligibility, excluding the Fil-American ace whom FIBA considers as a naturalized player.

“I will try to keep updated from here and at the same time, focus on the UAAP finals. It’s a win-win situation and I’m just blessed to have that kind of problem to be in the middle. It’s all Glory to God,” said the UAAP Elite Team member.

It’s all UAAP for Phillips now as La Salle shoots for a successful redemption tour against modern day rival and reigning champion UP in a trilogy.

Phillips, arguably the best center in Philippine collegiate scene today, proved that stature by hauling eight points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals in La Salle’s 78-73 win over National U.