Where is Mike Phillips, the country’s most coveted amateur player?

Well, it all started when he made his debut for Gilas Pilipinas in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in New Zealand and Australia last week.

Phillips, a Filipino-American power forward, made a lot of heads turn when he cracked into Tim Cone’s tight rotation to battle the taller, stronger Kiwis and Aussies in the shaded lanes. Although Gilas Pilipinas lost both matches, Phillips found his niche, making the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) believe that he can be a big help when the national squad defends its title in the 20th Asian Games this September.

It was wrong. Very wrong.

Shortly before dawn on a rainy Saturday, it was found out that Phillips had stormed out of his condominium unit being paid for by the San Juan Knights, his mother club in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

A little later, his brother, Ben, reached out to the Knights with a letter that informed them that Phillips would be terminating his contract under its opt-out clause. No lengthy explanation, no emotional goodbye, no expression of gratitude. Just an abandoned condo unit and a short letter.

And just like magic, Phillips was gone.

Sideliners believe that Phillips is already on his way to Japan.

Under the B.League rules, a Filipino-foreign player like Phillips has to be classified as a local player by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) before qualifying as an Asian Quota import, similar to the status of Gilas Pilipinas standouts like Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and Kiefer Ravena.

His path to the B.League is similar to what Quentin Millora-Brown took when he went out of his way and even hired a lawyer just to prove his Filipino roots and make him eligible to play for the national squad. But after suiting up for Gilas in the second window of the qualifiers last February, Millora-Brown signed a reported lucrative deal with the Chiba Jets as an Asian Quota player. Just pure coincidence? I don’t think so.

Unfortunately for the SBP, when Gilas Pilipinas needed his services for the third window, he begged off, saying that he would be staying in Japan after undergoing back surgery. Hmmm.

Phillips had the same script as Millora-Brown. In fact, after playing for Gilas in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in 2023, Phillips tried so hard to see action in FIBA competition with the SBP even helping him reach out to FIBA officials just to classify him as a pure-blooded Filipino.

His plea was granted last February, giving him the green light to play for Gilas like an ordinary local player without any restriction.

During an open workout before Gilas Pilipinas left for New Zealand three weeks ago, Phillips professed his undying love for the country, saying that donning the national jersey was a huge blessing as it allowed him to go full circle since he was told that he would no longer play basketball again after suffering brain injuries.

A devout Christian, Phillips also added that everything would not be possible without the love, guidance and protection of Christ.

But after magically disappearing out of his San Juan accommodation while Filipinos were being battered by typhoon “Inday,” are we still going to believe everything that Phillips said? Was he really sincere in declaring his patriotism or did he just take us for a ride, making us believe that he will play here to make himself available every time Gilas needs his services?

It’s time for the SBP to take a closer look at the intention of these Filipino-foreign players who are looking to see action in international competitions. Before giving them a valuable roster spot, the federation must conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether these Filipino-foreign players are really sincere in playing for the country or just want to use it as a vehicle to land a lucrative contract abroad.

The national jersey is sacred. It represents the hopes of basketball-loving Filipinos all over the world. The SBP has to carefully screen those who want to wear it. They have to hand it over only to those who truly want to serve the country — not to cold-blooded mercenaries.