Sullivan Phillips is a Cyprus National Basketball Champion following his team APOEL’s 3 – 1 series win in the Championship over AEL.
www.islandstats.com continued to keep you the viewers up to date with Phillips and his teams progress over the season and Phillips thanked www.islandstats.com for keeping him in the minds and hearts of the public. Phillips took time out after a long season to answer a few question put to him by www.islandstats.com.
Q. How do you perceive the level of basketball at APOEL compared Apollon?
A. The difference between teams was Apollon had a good team, but with APOEL we played in Europe and the quality of players were better and it created the chance to win the championship.
Q. What did you envision when you changed teams at the end of last season?
A. I envisioned playing in Europe and winning more championships, also I am hoping to do good in European competitions, I do hope I accomplish both goals.
Q. Are you planning on returning to Bermuda soon for a visit?
A. I am definitely going to be in Bermuda this summer and I actually plan to play in the League for a few games.
Q. What was it like not being able to play at home games this season?
A. Not playing at home is tough but reality is if you want to play and you want to win you play wherever and do your best.
Q. What is the atmosphere like at Cyprus Basketball games?
A. APOEL fans are very crazy so the atmosphere is great, in some places a few fans show up but in general is good atmosphere.
Q. During the finals your bus was attacked, what was the mood like and did you get hurt?
A. During the attack on the bus I did get hit on my back but I was OK more just annoyed.
Q. Did the incident motivate you and your teammates?
A. The team moral wasn't shaken or wavered we knew we would have to play with energy and mental strength to win and luckily we did this and were victorious.
Q. Who gave you the nick name The Lion?
A. The Lion came from the writer from Eurobasket and that's really were it was born.
Q. Around the league you are known for your defense, is that the biggest part of your game?
A. Yeah defense is a strong part of my game, but I'd like to think my strength is my versatility an ability to do a little bit of everything.
Q. If you were the coach what would you have yourself work on to improve?
A. If I was a coach I'd push myself to shoot more, and implore mental toughness at times those would be my 2 biggest things I'd bring to my attention.
Q. What should the top priorities of APOEL for next season?
A. You would have to speak with management and see which way they want to go.
Q. What's the best advice you can impart to a high school player? How about the players who participate in Premier Basketball League in Bermuda?
A. Best advice: Respect the game and be diligent, work hard and others will respect you and your efforts. When you think you've done enough, work harder and your work will pay off whatever league you play in.
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