MANILA, Philippines – Same school, same goal.
La Salle standouts Mike Phillips and Luisa San Juan may come from different Green Archers basketball programs and are worlds apart in terms of play style, but they are united by a common cause in UAAP Season 87: win at all costs for the green and white.
Phillips, the unquestioned heart and soul of the defending men’s basketball champions, exuded that exact winning energy for the period of September 25 to 29, putting up monstrous numbers to win the Collegiate Press Corps’ third Player of the Week presented by Discovery Suites and World Balance.
The fourth-year forward, guided by his team and a heavenly faith, made life a living hell for those who stood in his way, averaging 12.5 points, 16.0 rebounds (6.5 from the offensive end), 2.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks as La Salle downed FEU and UST for a sweep of the week and a 5-1 record.
“I think I kind of speak for every one of my teammates. We can’t really do this on our own. I don’t want to put myself in a partial light, because I’m just a part of the team,” said Phillips, who edged out teammate MVP Kevin Quiambao and other candidates from UP, FEU, and UE for the citation.
“But to continue to be that force, it’s just really to try our best to wake up every day and really appreciate what you have. No matter how hard it really gets… just really stay true to what you have.”
San Juan, meanwhile, dusted the history books just to lift the Lady Archers out of the doldrums, exploding with a UAAP record 10 threes for 34 points in an 89-65 demolition of FEU.
Not even a subsequent 16-point effort in a 68-76 loss to defending champion UST pushed her out of award contention as she beat out NU’s Angel Surada, Ateneo duo Sarah Makanjuola and MVP Kacey dela Rosa, UST’s Kent Pastrana, and Adamson’s Kem Adeshina for the award.
“I got my confidence from my teammates and my coaches. They believe in me, and the trust that they give me, that’s the biggest thing for me,” said the Fil-Spanish guard, who averaged 25.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.5 steals for the week.
“I don’t know the records, but I’m grateful. I wasn’t expecting that, I just do my role and I think it starts with what coach Cholo (Villanueva) tells us.” – Rappler.com
