Jon Phillips certainly made the most of his hometown pro lacrosse debut.
Playing in front of family and friends at Rogers Arena on Saturday, the 27-year-old from Ladner had a five-point night, including a pair of goals, in the expansion Las Vegas Desert Dogs' 19-16 loss to the Vancouver Warriors in National Lacrosse League action.
Phillips notched his first goal at the 4:58 mark of the opening quarter then found the net again in the second as Vegas was in comeback mode the entire game after falling behind 6-1. The lefty now has nine points on the season in two games.
Back in 2016, he had a leading role in the Delta Islanders capturing their one and only B.C. Junior “A” Lacrosse championship and advancing to the Minto Cup. Months later he was selected ninth overall in the Western Lacrosse Association draft by Nanaimo and has been among the Timbermen’s top scorers since. He led the team last season with 65 points in 16 games, including 28 goals, and signed a one-year deal with Las Vegas back in August.
Phillips also thrived in the field version of the sport, earning a full-ride scholarship to UMass Lowell.
His family has a rich history in the game.
His grandfather Ron Phillips was GM and head coach of the 1971 Minto Cup champion Richmond Roadrunners. That team will be inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame later this year.
Jon’s dad, Darcy Phillips, played junior “A” in Richmond and served many years as president of the Delta Lacrosse Association, along with the Junior “A” Islanders.
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Another Ladner player was prominent Saturday night as Logan Schuss also had two goals and three assists to help the Warriors crack the win column for the first time this season. The same two teams meet again on Friday in Las Vegas.
