With the UAAP Season 88 Final Four race growing tighter, Mike Phillips already has La Salle shifting into playoff mode, leading by example in their repeat victory over winless UE.
The UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament is entering its most chaotic stretch yet — and Mike Phillips is embracing it like it’s already the postseason.
While the Final Four race grows wilder with each passing game, the La Salle team captain is keeping the Green Archers locked in, focused, and unfazed by the rising stakes.
“We need to really lock in and consider this as the playoffs already. We’re trying to play playoff basketball in every game, talagang i-enjoy ‘yung bawat game, and respect every team we face,” Phillips said after La Salle’s 84–72 victory over the UE Red Warriors.
That mindset has worked wonders.
The Green Archers’ fourth consecutive win not only extended their midseason tear, but also pushed them into a share of second place with defending champion UP, both carrying identical 6–3 cards.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Red-hot DLSU surges to fourth-straight win, share of second after turning back UE]
Last year's Finals teams sit just a game behind the pace-setting NU Bulldogs (7–2), whom La Salle is set to challenge after a quick three-day reset on Sunday, November 2.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | UAAP Season 88 basketball guide, where to watch, highlights, more]
Meanwhile, UST and Adamson are tied at fourth with 5–4 slates as Ateneo places sixth with 4–5, and FEU hangs on at 3–6 — proving that no spot in the semifinals is safe just yet.
"We're just trying to continue this momentum especially for our big game against NU and we just have respect for every team moving forward," Phillips said, who ended up with a solid double-double outing of 14 points and 12 rebounds to pace La Salle.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.