After a stellar international debut during the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket last September, Ben Mbala is saddened that he cannot join the Cameroonian national team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers.
“Sadly, I won’t be suiting up for my country because my main priority is DLSU now,” the 22-year-old expressed.
During the Afrobasket, Mbala averaged 21.8 points and 9.3 rebounds in the tournament, helping Cameroon claim fifth place in the 16-nation tourney.
The African leg of the Qualifiers will open on November 24 when Cameroon takes on South Africa. Cameroon then takes on Guinea on November 25 and Tunisia on November 26.
Currently, Game One of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Finals takes place on November 25 as well. Mbala is curently posting norms of 25.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks this season for the second-running DLSU Green Archers.
Mbala is not closing his doors for the next window of the qualifiers next year.