Sports

Game Changer: La Salle Star Mike Phillips Gets FIBA 'Local' Status — Gilas Pilipinas Just Got a Lot Scarier

Tabloid PH Newsdesk

Feb 21, 2026 — 1 min read

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Philippine basketball just got a massive upgrade. FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, has officially reclassified La Salle standout Mike Phillips as a local player — meaning the 6-foot-6 Filipino-American big man is now eligible to represent Gilas Pilipinas in ALL international tournaments without restrictions.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) made the announcement Saturday, thanking FIBA "for its swift action in hearing our request and classifying Mike Phillips as a player without restriction." Previously, Phillips was classified as a naturalized player, which limited his availability — he couldn't even suit up for Gilas at the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok.

Phillips is no stranger to wearing the Philippine jersey. He played for Gilas under coach Chot Reyes when the team reclaimed the gold medal at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, beating host nation Cambodia. But the naturalized player restriction was a frustrating ceiling on his national team career — until now.

The UAAP Season 88 Finals MVP recently led La Salle to the men's basketball championship, averaging a dominant 13.3 points and 13.7 rebounds across the three-game title series against UP. "It's a blessing and a huge honor to officially be eligible to represent the Philippines," Phillips said. "I'm ready to fight for our country."

With Phillips now unrestricted, Gilas has a legitimate two-way force who can anchor the frontcourt in major competitions — from the FIBA Asia Cup to the Asian Games and beyond. For Filipino basketball fans, this is the kind of news that makes you want to set your alarm for the next Gilas game. Laban Pilipinas! 🏀

Source: The Manila Times

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