Phillips earns FIBA nod to play as local for Gilas Pilipinas
- Rodolfo Dacleson II
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
De La Salle University (DLSU) standout Mike Phillips is raring to don the Gilas Pilipinas jersey for years to come.
FIBA, basketball's governing body, reclassified the energetic big man as a local player after the appeal made by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
This development allows him to represent the Philippines in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments, according to the SBP on Saturday, Feb. 21.
“Handa na po akong lumaban para sa ating bansa! Ibibigay ko lahat ng kaya ko at ng buong puso ko!” said Phillips in a statement, as quoted by Spin.ph. “I cannot wait to compete alongside my fellow Filipinos as we continue pushing Philippine basketball forward.”
He was previously classified as a naturalized player since he did not secure a Philippine passport before age 16 under the previous FIBA eligibility rule — the main reason behind his exclusion from the Gilas team that defended their crown in the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games last December, as flagged by Thai organizers.
A SEA Games host nation has the power to impose or change certain eligibility requirements or competition rules as long as those are within the limits set by the SEA Games Federation Charter and Rules.
To recall, Phillips already represented the Philippines in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, helping the country regain its throne in the regional meet.
In December 2025, FIBA Central Board amended the passport acquisition requirement for non-restricted (local) player eligibility to 18 from 16 years old.
Phillips, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to the SBP and FIBA, among others, for making his dream of representing the Philippines internationally come true.
“It's a blessing and a huge honor to actually be eligible to represent the Philippines. The opportunity to play for the national team is a longtime dream and an answered prayer,” he said.
A Fil-American, Phillips traces his Filipino roots to his mother, Sharon, and grandmother, Carmelita Colina. He arrived in the country in 2019 after graduating from Creekside High School in Florida, United States.
Standing at 6-foot-8, Phillips has been DLSU's go-to-guy in the shaded lane for five years. He helped the Green Archers win two UAAP titles in his last three seasons. In Season 88, he concluded his collegiate career with a Finals MVP plum after averaging 13.3 points per game and 13.7 rebounds per game to dethrone the University of the Philippines in their best-of-three finals showdown.
The 24-year-old low-post operator is expected to bolster Gilas' frontline that includes June Mar Fajardo, Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown.
“Needless to say, with his size, enthusiasm, and leadership, he will be a fixture of Gilas for years to come,” said Gilas head coach Tim Cone, as reported by the Tiebreaker Times.
Phillips, however, has to wait before finally joining the national team since the announcement of his reclassification came late. The deadline for submission of the preliminary roster for the second window of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers was set last Wednesday, Feb. 18.
“With only three practices left before we start, it’s too late to add him right now,” said Cone. “He will, however, definitely join the pool for the next window.”
Gilas is set to host Oceanian powerhouses New Zealand and Australia on February 26 and March 1, respectively, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. They currently hold a 2-0 record in Group A.
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