Mike Phillips Steps Up as La Salle’s MVP in Gritty Win Over FEU

Photo: Vyn Radovan/ALL-STAR

De La Salle University continued their dominance in the UAAP with a gritty 58-53 win over the FEU Tamaraws, thanks to a remarkable performance from Michael Phillips. Despite trailing his teammate Kevin Quiambao in the MVP race, it was Phillips who embodied the heart and hustle that DLSU needed to fend off a surging FEU and secure their 11th win of the season.

La Salle seemed in control, leading by 10 points in the third quarter after trailing early. However, the Tamaraws fought back with a vengeance, seizing a four-point lead midway through the fourth. Just as DLSU seemed on the brink of collapse ahead of their anticipated rematch against UP, Phillips turned the game around with an inspiring display of energy, skill, and leadership that revitalized his team.

Phillips’ presence was felt most on the defensive end, where his relentless pressure in La Salle’s full-court press disrupted FEU’s rhythm. As the Tamaraws tried to close out the game, Phillips forced multiple turnovers, putting FEU on their heels and setting the stage for his teammate Josh David, another MVP contender, to drain a clutch three-pointer that flipped the momentum in DLSU’s favor.

On offense, Phillips was just as impactful. In a crucial stretch during La Salle’s comeback, he scored two pivotal putback shots, keeping the Archers within striking distance and chipping away at FEU’s fragile lead. At the same time, he dominated the defensive boards, preventing the Tamaraws from getting second-chance opportunities to extend their edge.

The game’s defining moment came with DLSU clinging to a narrow 52-51 lead. With the shot clock about to expire, Phillips executed a perfect hook shot to extend the lead to three. Moments later, he made an extraordinary, heavily contested lay-up while drawing a foul, giving La Salle the breathing room they needed to seal the win.

Phillips’ final stat line of 17 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks tells only part of the story. His impact went beyond numbers, injecting energy and poise when La Salle needed it most. On a night when Quiambao struggled with his shot (finishing 2-of-17 from the field), Phillips proved that La Salle’s depth is a force to be reckoned with. Even with one MVP-caliber player off his game, another could step up to lead the charge.

La Salle’s winning streak now extends to eight games, with an impressive 11-1 record. While Phillips was the undeniable MVP for La Salle, special recognition goes to FEU’s Mo Konateh, who was a force in his own right, putting up 14 points and a monstrous 27 rebounds. Yet in the end, it was “Motor Mike” Phillips’ heart, hustle, and heroics that carried the Green Archers to victory and kept their winning streak alive.