I remember watching the King Abdullah Cup Basketball 2021 unfold with particular interest, partly because I've always been fascinated by international tournaments that bring together diverse playing styles, but mostly because I was keen to see how La Salle would perform under their new circumstances. The absence of Kevin Quiambao from their green-and-white roster created a vacuum that was impossible to ignore, and all eyes turned to Mike Phillips to see if he could shoulder the immense responsibility. Let me tell you, the kid didn't just shoulder it; he carried the team on his back with a ferocity that was absolutely thrilling to witness.
They don't call him 'Motor Mike' for nothing, and from the very first tip-off of the tournament, that nickname proved to be an understatement. Watching him play was like watching a force of nature. His non-stop energy and effort were palpable, even through the screen. I've been covering basketball for over a decade, and I can count on one hand the number of players I've seen with a motor that simply does not quit. He’s a younger, taller Cliff Hodge on steroids, and I mean that in the best way possible. Cliff Hodge has always been the benchmark for relentless energy in the PBA, but Mike seemed to be operating at a different RPM altogether. He was everywhere—crashing the boards, running the floor in transition, diving for loose balls. It was a masterclass in hustle that reminded me why I fell in love with the sport in the first place.
La Salle's journey through the tournament was a rollercoaster, and Mike Phillips was the engineer. In their opening game against the Riyadh Falcons, a team known for their physicality, La Salle struggled initially, trailing by 8 points at the end of the first quarter. But then Mike took over. He finished that game with a stat line that made my jaw drop: 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Seventeen rebounds! Against a team that averaged 45 rebounds per game last season. He was simply unstoppable, and La Salle clawed their way to an 89-85 victory. You could see the momentum shift every time he grabbed a defensive board and immediately initiated the fast break. It was his leadership, as much as his scoring, that carried them through.
The semi-final against the Jeddah Knights was, in my opinion, the real championship game. This was a nail-biter that went into overtime, and the pressure was immense. With 12 seconds left in regulation and La Salle down by 2, it was Mike who drew a crucial charge—a play that doesn't show up gloriously in the stats sheet but wins you ball games. He then scored the tying basket off an offensive rebound, a put-back that was all heart and hustle. In overtime, he was just as dominant, adding another 7 points to his tally, finishing with 31 points and 19 rebounds in a game that lasted 45 minutes. La Salle won 102-99, and I remember thinking that this performance alone should cement his legacy. The burden of carrying a La Salle side hell-bent on reclaiming the crown was a heavy one, but Mike wore it like a cape.
When they finally faced the defending champions, the Dammam Giants, in the final, the stage was set for a coronation. The Giants were a formidable opponent, having gone 7-1 in the group stages. But Mike and La Salle were not to be denied. The championship game was a testament to his growth throughout the tournament. He wasn't just relying on pure energy anymore; he was making smart plays, finding open teammates, and picking his spots. He ended the final with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists, leading La Salle to a convincing 94-88 victory. Seeing him hold that championship trophy aloft was a powerful moment. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. La Salle had reclaimed its throne, and Mike Phillips was the undisputed king of that court.
Looking back, the King Abdullah Cup 2021 will be remembered for many things, but for me, it will always be the tournament where 'Motor Mike' shifted into the highest gear and proved he was more than just a nickname. He transformed from a high-energy player into a complete leader. While the official records will show that he averaged 26.4 points and 15.2 rebounds per game over the 9-game tournament, the numbers only tell half the story. His impact was in the intangible—the lifted morale of his teammates, the fear he instilled in opponents, and the sheer will to win that he displayed every single second he was on the floor. It was one of the most compelling individual performances I've seen in recent years, and it absolutely solidified his place as the cornerstone La Salle needed to build their future upon.