Phillips, Pastrana cap collegiate careers with Basketball Players of the Year plums

MANILA, Philippines — Good things come to those who least expect it.

Mike Phillips and Kent Pastrana were equivocal in preaching that after being named as the Basketball Players of the Year at the 2026 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night presented by Strong Group Athletics on Monday at Discovery Suites in Ortigas.

"It's not by my strength but only by His spirit," said Phillips via video message, choosing to still glorify God for the latest achievement in his still young career.

"Hindi ko naman hinangad ito. Naglaro lang ako at happy ako na nabigyan ako ng opportunity para matupad ang mga pangarap ko," said Pastrana.

Phillips and Pastrana, both two-time UAAP champions, spearheaded the roll call of awardees from the esteemed group of sports media covering the country's premier collegiate leagues UAAP and NCAA.

Joining Phillips in the Men's Basketball Mythical Five were University of Santo Tomas' Collins Akowe, Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Titing Manalili, San Beda University's Janti Miller and Far Eastern University's Janrey Pasaol; while with Pastrana in the Women's Basketball Mythical Team were fellow Growling Tigress Brigette Santos, the National University pair of Karl Ann Pingol and Tin Cayabyab and Ateneo de Manila University's Kacey dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa was also given a Special Citation for her travails as part of the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s team, furthering the gaudy trophy collection for the soft-spoken center.

La Salle's Angel Canino and NU's Leo Ordiales were feted as UAAP Volleyball Players of the Year, while Letran's Lara Mae Silva and College of Saint Benilde's Reymark Betco were hailed as NCAA Volleyball Players of the Year in the event which also had the support of San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Converge FiberX, Go for Gold, D'Generals,and Buffalo's Wings N Things.

University of the Philippines' Ramil Bation, FEU's Regine Rebosura and San Beda's Mark Pellejo were also named as Football Players of the Year.

Bench tacticians also got their spot in the limelight with Topex Robinson (La Salle), Haydee Ong (UST), Yuri Escueta (San Beda), Ramil de Jesus (La Salle), Dante Alinsunurin (NU), Mayeth Carolino (Letran) and Arnold Laniog (CSB) all being handed Coaches of the Year trophies for their respective divisions.