While the De La Salle University Green Archers were exacting revenge on the Far Eastern University Tamaraws Sunday afternoon, Ben Mbala was on the other side of the world, trying to lead Cameroon in the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket.
But before Mbala had left for Cameroon’s training camp in Brazil three weeks ago, second-year Green Archers head coach Aldin Ayo made sure to ask a favor from the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player.
“Then, si Ben, We always tell him to do new things kasi ‘yung bata, grabe ang work ethic,” Ayo shared after La Salle’s 95-90 win against FEU.
And for the last three days, the entire Green Archers team have been keeping tabs on how Mbala is doing against the top-tier cagers in Africa.
“Lagi namin pinapanood highlights niya. We’re happy for him,” said team captain Kib Montalbo.
“Once he’s down here, he’s gonna work hard again kasi goal namin is to win the championship and to win the back-to-back.”
With Mbala posting norms of 18.3 points and 10.0 rebounds so far in the tournament while playing the small forward spot, Ayo is thinking of playing three bigs at the same time when the 6-foot-8 student-athlete returns to La Salle.
“We might convert him to the three-spot when he comes back. Or maybe he plays… He can play 2,3,4,5 for us now because of the skill set that he has developed,” Ayo mused, as Mbala has been trying to extend his range since the Premier Cup.
Montalbo, on the other hand, can’t wait to run with Mbala once again.
“Thank you Lord may LeBron James na kami!
“Malaking bagay yun. Lebron James ng Pilipinas si Ben eh,” quipped the 20-year-old combo guard.
