ST. LEO, Fla. – Phillip Buque is following his brother Alex’s path in the hopes that he too will someday play in the National Lacrosse League.
Phillip joined the field lacrosse team at Saint Leo University last year where he finished the season with 13 points in nine games.
The Whitby, Ontario native decided to go the college route to follow in the footsteps of his brother.
“He took the college route and he’s helped me with a ton of things along the way,” said Phillip, standing on the field prior to practice. “He’s really prepared me to take the step into the NLL.”
Alex has always been quick to remind Phillip of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division II National Championship he won with the Davenport University Panthers in 2011.
“He had won in his freshman year, I’m a sophomore now so obviously it would mean the world to have a ring because I know he always brags about it,” he said.
Alex currently plays goalie for the New Westminster Salmonbellies, of the Western Lacrosse Association, a farm league for the NLL. From 2015-2018 he played for the Colorado Mammoth and the Buffalo Bandits where he collected 11 wins.
In the offseason Phillip returns to Canada to play for the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves, at the Junior A level.
In order to pursue his professional dream he requested a trade to the Coquitlam Adanacs of the British Columbia junior A lacrosse league, so he could be closer to his brother.
“I actually asked for a trade down there, so he could guide me through the ropes and coach me a bit while I’m trying to get up to the NLL,” said Phillip.
The sophomore is looking to use his time at Saint Leo’s as a chance to improve his game both on the field and in the box. His freshman year was his first experience playing field lacrosse and the transition was not as smooth as he had hoped.
“I’m more relaxed and I’m looking to hopefully have a bigger role, you know looking to be the sort of go to guy on the field when were in a big game.”
“I’m in the league for two more years, so I gotta put up big numbers and hopefully impress a couple of teams.”
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