Mike Phillips signs two-year deal with B.League's Kyoto Hannaryz

July 22 ------ THE worst-kept secret is out. Mike Phillips has signed a two-year contract to play for Kyoto Kannaryz in the premier division of Japan's B.League, confirming speculations shortly after he opted out of his contract with the San Juan Knights in the MPBL.

Kyoto made the announcement on Tuesday, ending speculations on the future of the 6-foot-7 high-flyer out of La Salle who, until he left the Knights, looked as the hands-down choice to be the No. 1 pick in the next PBA Rookie Draft. He becomes the third Filipino player to serve as Asian Quota import of Kyoto, which brought Matthew Wright from the PBA to the B.League and, strangely, dropped Jamie Malonzo after just five games last season.

Phillips arrives in Japan fresh from an impressive stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the last window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Australia and New Zealand, which, incidentally, made him eligible to play in the B.League as an Asian import.

Source: spin.ph