Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Chooks/SMART Player of the Week Ben Mbala spoils Ateneo’s outright Finals bid


De La Salle University’s Ben Mbala just wouldn’t let Ateneo through the express lane

Scoring 28 points in a 10-of-20 field goal shooting, on top of 19 rebounds, six steals, and six blocks, the reigning MVP helped the Green Archers reign supreme, 79-76, and halt the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles’ bid for a 14-0 elimination sweep.

Dominant on both ends of the court, Mbala was able to snag the last Chooks-to-Go/SMART Sports-UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week recognition, besting UP captain Paul Desiderio, UST slotman Steve Akomo, and FEU sniper Arvin Tolentino for the weekly individual award given by scribes from the country’s national broadsheets, tabloids, and online portals.

The Cameroonian bruiser’s worth for La Salle cannot be overstated as he kept the ship afloat despite La Salle falling behind by as much as 12 points in the fourth quarter and by seven, 69-76 in the final 2:24.

“We just wanted to win. We didn’t quit. Coach told us, never give up,” he said.

With coach Aldin Ayo fuming on the bench, Mbala and the rest of the Green Archers buckled down to work and finally solved the puzzle that was the Blue Eagles. They staged a killer 10-0 finishing kick, before Mbala delivered the exclamation point — a game-saving defensive stop on Isaac Go with 10 seconds left on the clock.

“Coach told me to never quit on defense, to just always be there and try your best to give him the hardest shot he can have, and that’s what I tried my best to do,” he said.

#ReadMore  UP fends off Saint Benilde to go to 2-0

“He told me to stay composed and not overdo everything. I was trying to jump straight up and that’s the only thing I was able to do, because if I foul him, that would have been two easy free throws,” the 22-year-old added.

Mbala’s herculean efforts allowed La Salle to sweep the second round and wind up with a 12-2 slate.

The Green Archers, armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, now proceed to the Final Four, where they will meet third-seed Adamson University Soaring Falcons starting on Saturday and inch closer to their title retention quest.

“That’s the plan to do for the next few games: to play hard and leave the rest to God.”

Written By


You May Also Like

ADMU

Kacey Dela Rosa is on pace for another MVP year, delivering an outstanding performance for Ateneo de Manila University that earned her the Collegiate...

Basketball

Kevin Quiambao put on a masterclass performance for De La Salle University, establishing himself as a class above the rest and earning the Collegiate...

ADMU

The rivalry between Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University will always be a crowd-drawer in the UAAP. However, the latest installment...

Basketball

De La Salle University will always cherish the memories of Archers who shone brightly against archrival Ateneo de Manila University. Legends like Joseph Yeo...

ADMU

Kevin Quiambao reset his career-high with 33 points as De La Salle University asserted its dominance over rival Ateneo de Manila University, 80-65, marking...

ADMU

Just like that, the Philippine collegiate basketball season is approaching its most exciting phase, with the Final Four just weeks away in both the...

ADMU

With four games remaining in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, De La Salle University has already secured a spot in the...

Basketball

Tacky Tacatac has consistently provided the offense for University of Santo Tomas during a remarkable week in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament....

Advertisement