Mike Phillips takes the lead role for La Salle as the Green Archers start their journey towards UAAP Season 88 in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
Mike Phillips isn’t the “Robin” anymore.
With Kevin Quiambao graduating and heading to Korea, the tireless big man is now thrust into the leading role for La Salle as it begins its journey in the Playtime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.
There’s no question on the capabilities of the 6-foot-8 center, who finished runner-up to Quiambao in the MVP race last UAAP Season 87.
But what coach Topex Robinson expects from his big man is to sustain that same motor, all while thriving in this redemption year for the Taft-based side especially now that they welcome the likes of Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Luis Pablo, and Mason Amos to the fort.
And La Salle will have to start that voyage against a familiar foe in Adamson, its date in the UAAP Final Four last season.
Ced Manzano and Mathew Montebon will once again lead the charge for the Soaring Falcons in the 4:30 p.m. main event which will follow the short opening ceremonies at 4:00 p.m.
Letran and Arellano raise the curtains in the premier preseason league at 12:00 p.m., followed by the NCAA Finals rematch between rivals Mapua and Benilde at 2:00 p.m.
Clint Escamis will be the driver for the Cardinals anew as they try to replicate their success against NCAA MVP Allen Liwag and the Blazers.
Titing Manalili is also back with a vengeance for the Knights after missing last season’s campaign, but they will have to weather the challenge of the underrated Chiefs led by T-Mc Ongotan.
UAAP and NCAA teams are separated by their mother leagues, playing in a single round robin with the top four teams advancing in the crossover quarterfinals. From there, winners advance to the semifinals and the respective victors progress in the best-of-three championship series.
The 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup has Playtime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors, and Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors.