UAAP: Mike Phillips shrugs off Momowei poster to end up with season-best

UE Red Warriors’ Precious Momowei puts La Salle Green Archers’ Mike Phillips on a poster during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —La Salle star Mike Phillips was on the receiving end of a poster dunk by UE Red Warriors’ Precious Momowei in the second quarter of their rematch in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

Instead of hanging his head over being posterized in what could be the dunk of the season, Phillips stayed on the course, resulting in his best game yet to get back at their first-round tormentor.

“Momowei every time I go against him, he’s such an energy guy and I can say, he’s the heart and soul of UE,” said the fourth-year La Salle big man. “Of course, when he made that play, I really felt the UE crowd. But I kept on thinking in those moment what our coaches, especially  Coach Gian [Nazario] and coach Topex [Robinson], taught us: ‘don’t retaliate. Don’t stray from the system just because you want to get back at him.'”

READ: UAAP: La Salle gets back at UE to stretch win streak to four

At the 4:38 mark of the second quarter, a sprinting Momowei stole the inbound pass of Phillips and leaped over the latter to nail a ferocious slam for a 26-22 lead that energized the best UE crowd yet.

Getting dunked on could have broken the confidence of Phillips but he refused to. Instead, he used it to fire him up and help his team as reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao, who played under the weather, was held scoreless in the first half. 

“I really just tried to stay on the path. We knew UE would make big plays like that; they were going to make those hand-in-the-face threes. For me, I was just trying to do my best, stay steady, and focus on the next play,” he added.

READ: UAAP: Mike Phillips looks forward to La Salle-UE rematch

Phillips ended up with a season-high 27 points on top of 17 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, leading La Salle past UE, 77-68, for their fifth straight win en route to a league-leading 7-1 record.

La Salle Green Archers’ Mike Philips during a game against UE Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The former UAAP mythical member even got his chance to return the favor to Momowei as he dunked on the UE star off Lian Ramiro’s bounce pass to give the Green Archers a 51-50 lead that ignited their 12-2 run at the tail-end of the third quarter.

Phillips had another two-handed slam set up by Quiambao to keep the Red Warriors at bay, 73-65, with 2:15 left, as the Green Archers never looked back to tally their fifth straight win, which he relished in front of a good UE crowd that has been catching his attention since last week.

“It’s a beautiful game, the UE community being loud around that team and as a player, that’s something you really take account of. I really just love seeing that and I knew UE was a tough opponent. We knew we really need to come out strong and play these hard-working players, this hard-working coach, but most importantly, yung hard-working fans,” he said.

READ: UAAP: Loss to UE lit a fire under La Salle, admits Kevin Quiambao

Phillips credited his A-game to his teammates for setting him up for the season’s best scoring output so far that he paired with efficient rebounding with 10 coming from the offensive end. 

“If you look at all my points and rebounds, they came from my teammates. They won’t get credit for attacking one of the best shot blockers, Momowei, and freeing me up. My teammates really make me look good,” said Phillips.

“KQ, I know he’s a dependable guy, even though he struggled in the first half. I knew he would give us that boost. It’s a testament to him that, even though he wasn’t in his usual rhythm, he stayed focused and gave us that lift. What he does for the team sometimes doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. I’m really proud of KQ, he keeps giving the team positive energy.”

The Green Archer big man also gave a shout-out to the University of the Philippines center Quentin Millora-Brown as their towering duel last week prepared him for this moment.

“I was grateful for the matchup with QMB. I think that really helped me prepare for another monster like Momowei. I studied his game more and, more than his skill, he really has that grind mindset,” Phillips said.