 |
| Mike Phillips entered the B.League Premier's concussion protocols, putting his Gilas availability later this month in question. MPBL (file photo) |
QUEZON CITY—The hype on potentially the heftiest Gilas Pilipinas local big man rotation yet could fizzle quickly as Mike Phillips was placed under the Japan B.League's concussion protocols.
Kyoto, Phillips' B.League Premier squad, announced on Friday night that the six-foot-eight power forward will sit out a few games following an injury he got in the team's 70-94 road loss against Utsunomiya.
Phillips still finished the Wednesday night game, but he began his mandatory rest on Friday when the Hannaryz hosted and ripped the Ibaraki Robots 98-75.
"His return to practice, games, and other activities will be determined in accordance with the B.League’s gradual return-to-play protocol," Kyoto said in a statement shared with the public before its home win.
With the protocols in place, it is now uncertain if Phillips will be cleared in time for Gilas' upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers games in Seremban, Malaysia against Syria and Iran.
Phillips was named to the 12-man lineup along with B.League rivals Kai Sotto of Altiri Chiba, AJ Edu of Gunma Crane Thunders, and Quentin Millora-Brown of the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, and many Gilas fans believe this is probably the tallest order Gilas has ever assembled.
However, Phillips' B.League unavailability could spill over to Gilas as well, and that means one less strong option to bring the ball inside for the national team.
But if Sotto's own concussion situation in 2024 is to be taken into consideration, there is still a good chance Phillips will make it.
Then playing for Yokohama, Sotto entered the B.League's protocols on Nov. 9, 2024, but he was cleared to play for Gilas a week later.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone, in a Viber message, said that he is still expecting Phillips to make the trip to Seremban on Nov. 20.
