Mike Phillips is embracing his new role as one of the veteran players who are expected to lead reigning champion De La Salle in their title-retention campaign in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

With some key players jumping into the pros, the 22-year-old Phillips said he already learned how to handle the new responsibility with the guidance of senior teammate Joshua David.

“Syempre maraming nawala sa amin and you can't really replace those. Pero sa akin sa tingin ko, andiyan pa naman si Kuya Josh [David],” said Phillips, who copped the PBA D-League plum.

“He was one of the first people I met here when I came and played for La Salle, so I'm really looking up to him to really see how to lead and really keep that culture,” he added.

The Taft-based squad is heading to its title defense without its stars Jonnel Policarpio, Francis Escandor, Joaqui Manuel, Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy – all key figures in La Salle’s championship run last season.

The development poses a big challenge for the Green Archers’ campaign this year, something that Phillips and his teammates are willing to take.

“The thing that the seniors left last year, we’re hoping that we try to continue that for this year,” Phillips said.

“Hopefully, we'll reap everything that we've been sowing for the last couple of months,” he added.

He also said not putting too much pressure on their performances and instead, focusing on how to enjoy the moment and the process.