Athlete

Phillips eager to reunite with DLSU teammates at Converge In 2025

Photo: UAAP Media Team

Former De La Salle student-athlete Benjamin Phillips is excited to reunite his former Green Archer teammates at Converge where he feels their franchise values align with those he experienced while donning the green and white in Taft.

“It was the first thing I saw when I woke up! What a surreal feeling! What a blessing to reunite with Schonny and Balti,” Phillips told ALL-STAR Magazine online shortly after being selected by Converge with the 21st pick in the 2024 PBA Draft held on Sunday in Makati.

Justine Baltazar, a former Mythical 5 selection in the UAAP as a Green Archer and MVP in the MPBL with Pampanga, was taken first overall. Schonny Winston was the team’s first round pick in last year’s draft. All three guys made the UAAP Final Four as Green Archers in Season 84.

“Balti is the premier big man of the draft and his skillset is remarkable for his size. Back to the basket if he wants, monster rebounder, and his outside shot is the one I modeled years ago when I first went into UAAP 3×3.” Phillips explained.

“Schonny is like a brother to me, we went through everything together during the pandemic and got really close at the dorm. But he’s explosive, a true midrange player that is a lost aspect of the game, and him and I always had the best pick and roll combinations and reads!”

Aljun Melecio, whose time with Phillips at DLSU briefly coincided, is also part of Converge’s line-up.

Phillips is still in the United States where he is attending to his other endeavors such as his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of The Business Doctor, completing his DLSU doctorate degree in Business Administration, and finalizing his fourth book. He is expected to make his PBA debut in 2025. He didn’t attend the draft as he has scheduled meetings in New York and Chicago this coming week.

Converge now owns his playing rights in the PBA. Given the team’s draft haul this year and their depth in the frontline, they have the tools to wait for the 25-year-old Phillips’ eventual arrival.

“Converge bleeds Lasallian values,” the 6-foot-8 forward said. “I’ve studied a lot about Coach Aldin Ayo and his approach to the game, and have been keeping up with Schonny throughout this process as well. Having Aljun and Balti there as well reunites me with my former captains who I first played with when I came to the Philippines. I’m super excited!”

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