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| Mike Phillips is now eligible to play as a local for Gilas. Richard Esguerra (file photo) |
MANILA--Just in time as he begins carving his path in the professional ranks, Mike Phillips has been reclassified as a "player without restriction" by FIBA.
This means the six-foot-eight power forward, the 2023 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and 2025 UAAP Finals MVP, can now play for Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA-sanctioned matches as a local, adding another muscle inside aside from June Mar Fajardo, Kai Sotto, and Quentin Millora-Brown.
"The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) thanks FIBA for its swift action in hearing our request and classifying Mike Phillips as a player without restriction. Phillips, who already shown willingness in playing for flag and country by joining Gilas Pilipinas Men in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, is now eligible to play as a local in all FIBA tournaments," the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas said in a statement on Saturday.
Phillips missed out on the original passport eligibility rule set by FIBA, which was that he must have acquired his Philippine passport before turning 16.
However, when FIBA loosened the rule last December, so that any player of mixed descent can now be classified as a local as long as they got their passport before turning 18, it opened a chance for Phillips to try his luck in reclassifying himself as a local, which he succeeded in doing so.
“It’s a blessing and a huge honor to officially be eligible to represent the Philippines. The opportunity to play for the national team is a longtime dream and an answered prayer! I’m beyond grateful to FIBA, the SBP, and everyone who supported this process,” said Phillips.
“Handa na po akong lumaban para sa ating bansa! Ibibigay ko lahat ng kaya ko at ang buong puso ko! I cannot wait to compete alongside my fellow Filipinos as we continue pushing Philippine basketball forward. Para sa Bayan!”
Phillips is expected to be put under consideration for Gilas beginning with the third window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, where they will play New Zealand and Australia on the road.
Sotto is expected to be rejoining the Filipinos in the said window as well, which means coach Tim Cone, barring injuries along the way, will have a gigantic frontline ahead of him with Fajardo, Sotto, Brown, Phillips, and also Balti Baltazar.
