Ben Mbala of La Salle gives the thumbs up sign in a Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup game last June 2. (INQUIRER.NET)
EXPECT a more mature Ben Mbala when he finally gets to suit up for the La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament later this year.
After essentially being relegated to the sidelines ever since he was recruited from Southwestern University (SWU) in 2012, the Cameroon powerhouse has had plenty of time to work on his skills, on his body and on his attitude.
Mbala was all set for his much-awaited debut last year but was instead caught playing in a tournament in General Santos City, a violation of league rules that added another year to residency period.
Mbala, in an exclusive talk with Cebu Daily News during his visit to Cebu last weekend, said that he took that extra year to really reflect on basketball and his mistake.
“The difference is my maturity. The years I spent sitting out and my mistakes made me really grow as a person and as a player,” shared the 6-foot-7 forward, who helped SWU win their first Cesafi title back in 2012 before announcing himself to the rest of the country with one awe-inspiring performance after another in the National Collegiate Championship of that very same year.
With his UAAP debut a mere months away, Mbala showed out at the recently concluded Filoil Flying V Preseason Tournament where he averaged over 21 points and 15 rebounds to come away with MVP honors. Moreover, La Salle romped over the rest of the field en route to winning the title.
With the future before him shining bright, Mbala had nothing but good memories during his brief time here in Cebu.
“I remember the first time I played for SWU, our road to the championship, and my first love in the Philippines,” he said.