CAMEROONIAN big man Ben Mbala, who spent three years in residency before he was finally able to play for the La Salle Green Archers, is the leading candidate in MVP race of the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
The 21-year-old Mbala is no. 1 with 95.29 statistical points after the first round.
He said he just wanted to make the most out of the playing time that he has with Green Archers after transferring from Southwestern University in Cebu.
“I’m kind of eager to show what I have after three years. I just want to make the most out of it,” said Mbala after the Green Archers won over Ateneo last Sunday, 97-81.
He led with a double-double performance of 28 points and 13 rebounds
So far, Mbala has averaged 20.7 points, 16.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 2.1 blocks, and 1.4 assists in 29.6 minutes per game.
Adamson’s Papi Sarr has compiled 71.43 SPs for no. 2 followed by Mbala’s La Salle teammate, Jeron Teng, in third with 56.33 points.
Then, there’s Raymar Jose from Far Eastern University, who is at fourth place with 54 points.
University of the Philippines’ Paul Desiderio has 53.86 SPs in fifth.
Adamson freshman Jerrick Ahanmisi, who also leads the race for Rookie of the Year, is in sixth with 51.86 points.
Matt Salem from National University is seventh with 51.29 points and Alfred Aroga is eighth with 51.14 points.
Meanwhile, La Salle ushers in the post-Ian Lariba era as it eyes a third consecutive women’s title in the UAAP Season 79 table tennis tournament which opens tomorrow at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Without Lariba, a Rio Olympian, who has already completed her playing eligibility, the Lady Archers will now bank on Donna Gamilla Jamaica Sy to maintain their supremacy.
De La Salle copped its fourth championship in five seasons by completing a 16-0 campaign last year, giving Lariba, who was undefeated throughout her collegiate career, a grand send off.
The Green Archers, meanwhile, are gunning for their fourth straight title behind reigning MVP Ledesma and Carlo Mateo, last season’s Rookie of the Year winner.
De La Salle-Zobel is also eyeing to retain the girls and boys division crowns.