Quentin Millora-Brown and Mike Phillips during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals between UP Fighting Maroons and La Salle Green Archers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Mike Phillips had nothing but good things to say about University of the Philippines’ Quentin Millora-Brown despite La Salle’s Game 1 loss in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals.

Following La Salle’s 73-65 loss at the hands of the Fighting Maroons at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Phillips tipped his hat to his UP counterpart, Millora-Brown, for his stellar debut on the Finals stage.

“I love him, he’s a great guy. Even when we were battling, he was talking and encouraging me, really going back-and-forth with me in a friendly way,” said Phillips.

RESULTS: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 1 – La Salle vs UP

“What I love about him is his motor. I’m not saying he’s not talented but he’s really a good example of a person who has energy, motor, hustle and he doesn’t need talent. It’s just a given that he’s talented plus he has those things.”

Phillips and Millora-Brown went on several back-and-forths in the second half of the game which saw blocks, and-ones, buckets and everything in between.

La Salle Green Archers’ Mike Phillips in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Finals against UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Phillips recorded a loud double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds plus five assists and a steal to match.

However, Millora-Brown got the last laugh with an identical 17 points plus nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block for good measure to push UP on the cusp of winning the Season 87 title.

READ: UAAP Finals: Perfect farewell within Quentin Millora-Brown’s reach

The Green Archers’ energy guy said it will take a herculean effort for La Salle to not just limit QMB in the next game and even the series at 1-1.

“With a player like QMB, it’s not going to be a one-man job. No one in UP can be handled with a one-man job. We’re going to need 16-strong, including guys in our bench who may not have seen the floor last game,” said Phillips.

“It’s really about who wants it more and also who believes in themselves and each other more and I’m really excited.”

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Game 2 of the Finals  between UP and La Salle rolls on Wednesdaycombonanza casino, still inside the Big Dome at the same primetime schedule at 5:30 pm.

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