The 23-year-old right-hander scored 113 to help the Volts reach 244 in their Plunket Shield game against Central Districts in Nelson.
That Stags are 21 without loss at stumps on day one.
While the Volts’ total is far from massive, it represented a solid fightback. The visiting side went to lunch at 93 for five but the afternoon proved productive by comparison.
Doug Bracewell was the main problem. The right-arm swing bowler removed both openers cheaply and finished with four for 53 from 19 overs.
Blair Tickner’s two for 33 from 17 overs was another fine return for the lanky right-armer.
Otago top-order players Hamish Rutherford, Mitchell Renwick and Nick Kelly all scored centuries in their previous outings against Central Districts.
It was very different outcome this time around.
Renwick got a tickle on a legside delivery for six and Rutherford edged to first slip on the same score.
Kelly, who scored an undefeated 234 last week, nicked out for 12 while trying to drive a delivery from Ticker down the ground.
Otago had slumped to 46 for three and by lunch had also lost the wickets of Anaru Kitchen (1) and Michael Rippon (19).
But Phillips had made his way through to 48 and he teamed up with wicketkeeper Max Chu (31) in a stand of 61 for the sixth wicket.
It was not a huge partnership but it did stem the flow of wickets.
He found another willing partner in Travis Muller, who helped him through to his second first-class hundred.
He whipped a short ball from Ray Toole to the boundary to bring up the milestone.
Phillips will have been annoyed to have missed out at the University Oval last week.
But his knock was vital in helping the Volts squeeze some runs out of a tough day.
Muller's 41 not out was a major contribution in the context of the innings as well.
Otago spearhead Jacob Duffy was named in the team but was not well enough to travel.
Duffy has a viral illness but has returned a negative Covid-19 test.
He has been replaced in the 12 by Tommy Clout, who has been named 12th man.
- Wickets tumbled at the Basin Reserve yesterday — 18 of them.
Canterbury was bowled out for a paltry total of 156. Ben Sears and Michael Snedden nabbed three apiece.
Canterbury opener Chad Bowes resisted with 59.
Wellington found batting even tougher. The Firebirds were 102 for eight at stumps.
Matt Henry and Henry Shipley have three wickets each.
In the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, Wellington posted back-to-back wins against Canterbury.
Legspinner Amelia Kerr shone. She claimed five-wicket bags in both games.
