AFTER relying on their high-scoring offense against National University, the defending champion La Salle Green Archers are expected to settle down and again lean on their defense now that prized big man Ben Mbala has returned.
The presence of the 6’8” Mbala is expected to give the Green Archers more firepower and more muscle underneath when they meet the Adamson Falcons at 4 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Mbala, who made 32 points and 10 rebounds when Cameroon lost to Nigeria, 106-91, in the quarterfinals of the Fiba Afrobasket in Tunisia, returns as the Green Archers seek their third straight triumph in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
Coach Aldin Ayo said they will be ready to play their usual pressing game against the Falcons.
But, he expects a much improved Falcons to adjust their style of play.
“Two years na namin game iyun. Nag-adjust na ang mga teams. Ang ginagawa na lang namin, ubusan lang. Whoever’s the toughest on court, yun ang mananalo,” said Ayo.
When they beat NU the last time around, 115-109, the Green Archers tallied the highest score in the league since 2003.
La Salle sophomore Aljun Melecio, emerged as number 1 scorer in the UAAP so far with his 24.5 point norm after two games.
On the other hand, Adamson University has played its best recently after stopping University of Sto. Tomas 88-81 in their last game.
They have a 1-1 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs meet University of Santo Tomas at 2 p.m.
Games Today
(At the MOA Arena)
2 p.m. NU vs UST
4 p.m. Adamson vs La Salle