Phillips Impresses in Knights Debut, Dominates Cebu

San Juan defeated Cebu, 81-73, on Thursday, moving into a tie for the top spot in the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season at the Pasay Astrodome.

Highly anticipated newcomer Mike Phillips delivered in his debut, combining forces with Gerry Abadiano and Michael Calisaan to help the Knights claim their second consecutive victory in the round-robin elimination phase of the 28-team, two-division tournament.

The 6-foot-8 Phillips, a former standout with the De La Salle Green Archers, contributed 9 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block, earning Best Player of the Game honors. Abadiano, who scored 15 points and grabbed 2 rebounds, and Calisaan, with 12 points and 5 rebounds, were also key in the win.

Phillips expressed his excitement about playing alongside former rivals-turned-teammates, including Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, and Terrence Fortea, all former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Alarcon added 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Torres contributed 7 points and 4 rebounds, as San Juan tied Caloocan for the lead.

Other notable performances came from Orland Wamar, who posted 8 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, and AC Soberano, who also scored 8 points.

San Juan’s 28-23 lead grew to 44-29 by halftime after back-to-back three-pointers from Alarcon and Abadiano.

Cebu rallied in the fourth quarter with a 10-point run led by Andrey Armenion and Brian Heruela, but the Knights countered with contributions from Abadiano, Phillips, and Calisaan, extending their lead to 76-62.

The Greats fell to 1-1 despite a strong double-double from Mark Meneses, who recorded 17 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 assists, along with Heruela’s 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Wowie Escosio’s 11 points and 6 rebounds, and Paul Desiderio’s 10 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds.

The tournament continues on Friday at the One Arena Cainta, with Gensan facing Mindoro at 4 p.m., Bulacan taking on Batangas at 6 p.m., and Meycauayan meeting Manila at 8 p.m.