With semis ticket booked, La Salle's Phillips, Quiambao stress learning from last season's mistakes

MANILA, Philippines – Everything has gone full circle for DLSU stars Mike Phillips and Kevin Quiambao after they helped lead the Green Archers to an 11-3 eliminations record in UAAP Season 86. This is good enough for the Final Four berth – and maybe even a twice-to-beat bonus.

After dealing with injury and illness late in the season last year, both Phillips and Quiambao missed action for La Salle in their do-or-die clash for the last semifinals seat against Adamson in Season 85.

Now with their health intact, they finally get to reach the next level.

“Andiyan parin yung lasa, yung masamang lasa na 'di kami pumasok sa Final Four last season. So, we just really tried to use that as fuel and experience. Mistakes, what use are mistakes if you don't learn from them,” Phillips said after the game.

Quiambao, who leads this season’s MVP race, went down with a bout of COVID-19 during that crucial game against Adamson. As they flourish both skills- and health-wise, Quiambao makes the most of things.

“For me sobrang saya na nakaabot kami ng Final Four, knowing na kaming dalawa ni Mike last year, di pa nakapaglaro against Adamson,” said Quiambao. 

“Simula nung hinawakan ni Coach Topex yung program namin, talagang yung level umangat and yun nakikita naman day by day kung paano siya magtrabaho, kung paano niya kami i-handle.”

The all-around gunner also heaped praise on the team’s strength and conditioning staff, as they keep themselves fresh for battle in the Final Four. 

“Credit din sa lahat ng coaching staff, lalong lalo na sa strength and conditioning namin, kasi last season, sobrang dami naming injury ngayon manageable na,” he said.

La Salle plays the waiting game after today with Sunday’s matchups determining the final ranking of teams. As it stands, the Green Archers are likely to finish in the Top 2, they also have to wait to determine who their foes will be.

No matter who they face, head coach Topex Robinson is quick to remind his players to focus on what they can control.

“We always make sure to take care of what we have control of, and we don’t really know and we don’t really wanna pay attention to what's gonna happen in the next few days," he said.