MANILA, Philippines – La Salle star Mike Phillips had nothing but praise for the Green Archers faithful after they lived to fight another day in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals.
When La Salle needed an extra boost in its nail-biting Game 2 clash against the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, December 11, the Green and White supporters at the jampacked Mall of Asia Arena made their presence felt as the defending champions escaped with a 76-75 win to force a do-or-die Game 3.
“I just want to give all my praise to the crowd, the De La Salle crowd,” said Phillips.
“I’ll say this time and time and time again, the La Salle crowd is there for us when we win. But when we’re losing, when we’re going through those hard parts, that’s when they show their true colors.”
“My ears were ringing, I got goosebumps when I look at the crowd. Just being in that is just something that I can’t put into words,” he added as 17,112 fans flocked to the arena to witness the instant classic between La Salle and UP.
With La Salle staring at a 66-73 deficit with less than three minutes left to play, the Green Archers crowd never stopped cheering as Phillips, along with back-to-back MVP Kevin Quiambao, orchestrated a massive fightback.
Phillips connected on a tough hook shot over the outstretched arms of UP big man Quentin Millora-Brown at the 2:43 mark to pull La Salle within five, 68-73.
Quiambao then took over from that point, cashing in two consecutive long bombs to put La Salle ahead by one, 74-73, as the Green Archers side went wild with 1:20 left in the match.
“They were screaming their lungs out. It was just a sea of green. I think really they’re the reason that pulled us through,” said Phillips, who hit the final basket of the game at the 1:07 mark that gave La Salle the 76-75 lead.
“The ear-piercing support from them, shouting defense, shouting during timeouts, I couldn’t even hear what coach is saying.”
“I think they’re the real reason why we got uplifted,” added the Mythical Five member Phillips, who finished with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in Game 2.
As both teams gear up for their winner-take-all clash in what is expected to be a full house Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, December 15, Phillips said that he is going to just cherish every bit of it as the Green Archers shoot for their second straight crown.
“How we’re going to prepare? Just enjoy every moment,” said Phillips.
“It’s [going to be] a one-of-kind experience.” – Rappler.com
