Romwel Anzures

De La Salle University’s Mike Phillips (left) and Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee (right). Photos from UAAP Media and FIBA Basketball.

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<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761986070523IMG_8942.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="De La Salle University’s Mike Phillips (left) and Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee (right). Photos from UAAP Media and FIBA Basketball."/>De La Salle University’s Mike Phillips (left) and Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee (right). Photos from UAAP Media and FIBA Basketball.MANILA — The upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games will not be a first for Mike Phillips, but the De La Salle University star still sees it as an opportunity  to be a rookie again.</div>The senior star of the Green Archers is a part of the SEAG squad that Norman Black will be parading from December 9 to 20 in Thailand, but Phillips is just as excited as if he had not helped Gilas win gold two years ago in Cambodia.“I wanna have that role of being a rookie. That’s the best thing ever, being a rookie again,” insisted Phillips on Wednesday after their 84-72 drubbing of University of the East. “I love starting over, so I’m not looking to be one of the vets.”But why exactly is this the case for the 6-foot-7 Phillips?“Those guys are big dogs,” he raved of the Gilas team which is expected to boast the likes of Justin Brownlee, among others. “And I love being the young guy on the team. I love starting all over, starting from the bottom, and learning from them.”And speaking of Brownlee, teaming up with the Barangay Ginebra star also fuels Phillips’ desire.“My guy, my idol Justin Brownlee, is there, and I’m just always happy to be with him,” said Phillips, the potential top pick of the PBA 51 Rookie Draft in 2027. “How he carries himself, I’m always taking notes.”It is not out of a question for Phillips to be an actual rookie for the Gin Kings, as Ginebra owns the first round pick of perennial PBA cellar dweller Terrafirma Dyip in that rookie class.But for now, Phillips’ focus is with Gilas, and that is not even happening after he concludes his UAAP career at the end of Season 88.<div style="line-height:1.5">“I just really want to help the team in as many ways as possible,” he said. RELATED VIDEO: <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx6QUBDTHas?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

“My guy, my idol Justin Brownlee, is there, and I’m just always happy to be with him,” said Phillips. “How he carries himself, I’m always taking notes.” #UAAPSeason88 #2025SEAGames

“My guy, my idol Justin Brownlee, is there, and I’m just always happy to be with him,” said Phillips. “How he carries himself, I’m always taking notes.” #UAAPSeason88 #2025SEAGames

Phillips excited to be a ‘rookie’ anew, team up with Brownlee in Gilas for SEA Games

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Phillips excited to be a ‘rookie’ anew, team up with Brownlee in Gilas for SEA Games

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 01, 2025 05:42 PM PHT

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Basketball

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Justin Brownlee

De La Salle Green Archers

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