Michael Christian Phillips put on his cape tonight and went on an absolute Tamaraw tear in the last two minutes to save the day for his Green Archers as La Salle outlasted FEU 58-53 in an electrifying finish at the MOA Arena.
Trailing 48-51 with two minutes left, La Salle needed a spark. Phillips delivered, slamming one home off an offensive board, and Raven Gonzales followed with a clutch floater to give the Archers a 52-51 edge with 1:19 remaining.
From there, Mike Phillips and the rolling Green Archers were unstoppable. Motor Mike switched into take-charge mode, sinking his signature jump hook on a screen-and-roll play with Josh David to push the lead to 54-51.
Moments later, after an FEU turnover, Phillips struck again—this time converting a three-point play to widen the gap to 56-51 with under a minute to go.
FEU’s Mo Konateh tried to keep the Tamaraws alive, hitting two free throws to cut it to a single possession lead at 56-53. But with the game on the line, homegrown LSGH wonder Josh David showcased his basketball IQ, threading a perfect inbound pass to Doy Dungo for a breakaway finish that locked in La Salle’s victory at 58-53, slamming the door on any Tamaraw comeback.
From the opening tip, the game tested La Salle’s resilience. They had stumbled early, trailing by nine at the end of the first quarter. Yet, once they hit their stride, the Archers exploded with a scorching 22-2 run across the second and third quarters, transforming a 14-24 deficit into a 36-26 lead. FEU’s own brand of brevity showed as they clawed back to a 40-41 lead heading into the final quarter.
La Salle’s offensive struggles were evident, especially with MVP Kevin Quiambao having an uncharacteristic 2-of-18 shooting night. The Archers were forced to scrap for points from the midrange and paint, shooting an icy 2-of-26 from beyond the arc—a tough 7.7% on threes.
In the end when the game was kept close, it was Phillips’ late-game heroics that swung the outcome in La Salle’s favor, capping off what he called “a fun game.”
La Salle now sets its sights on Sunday’s most-awaited showdown with UP.
ANIMO LA SALLE!!!
The Boxscores
DLSU (58) – M. Phillips 17, Macalalag 9, Dungo 8, Quiambao 8, Marasigan 4, David 3, Gonzales 3, Austria 2, Ramiro 2, Agunanne 2, Gollena 0, Konov 0.
FEU (53) – Konateh 14, Pre 12, Alforque 11, Pasaol 11, Anonuevo 3, Daa 2, Montemayor 0, Bagunu 0, Ona 0, Nakai 0, Bautista 0.
Quarterscores: 10-19, 28-26, 40-41, 58-53
