Take a bow, Ben: La Salle’s gem takes the throne as UAAP ruler

MANILA, Philippines – For 17 UAAP games, De La Salle University’s Benoit Mbala Mendzana has always looked mighty.

At 6-foot-8, he ran breaks like a guard. At 21, he is a man with a million moves among boys. For most of Season 79, Mbala commanded double-teams and then dismantled them like poetry.

Ben Mbala is hitting fadeaways now, apparently #UAAPSeason79 pic.twitter.com/jkqjzs8RTk

— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) October 19, 2016

What a slam by Mbala! #UAAPSeason79 pic.twitter.com/91V9z6ZGD9

— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) October 2, 2016

Ben Mbala doing Ben Mbala things. pic.twitter.com/UyEGfP291l

— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) December 7, 2016

Ben Mbala hammers it home! pic.twitter.com/MPQkXXtS9d

— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) December 7, 2016

On Wednesday night, all that got reduced to nothing but footnotes. And in a good way.

And La Salle wins their 9th UAAP title! 79-72 over their archrivals Ateneo! #UAAPFinals @sonrd pic.twitter.com/4casQB9pOh

— Philstar Sports Hub (@StarSportsHub) December 7, 2016

Mbala snared not one, but two individual milestones before a crowd of 17,495. And after 40 gruelling minutes, he notched one last — the final gem to the crown he’d wear for all of his life.

“It wasn't easy. People might think that since we went 13-1 (wins-losses),” he told reporters after his team swept Ateneo to win another UAAP basketball title. “But trust me, it wasn't easy. It wasn’t.

“There were times when we were down,” he said. “We knew it’s not gonna be easy but we were ready for that. That’s the reason why coach Aldin (Ayo) made us to go through hell and back. Tonight, it finally paid off.”

“This is sweet … I was crying before and after the game,” added Mbala, who before the game was feted as Season 79 MVP. He was also named into the Mythical Five and was awarded this year’s “Bankable” and “Impact” player.



Even with his frame, his skill set and the scoring acumen that came with it, Mbala said over and over again — in the course of three months — that he and his team still had to earn their place in the UAAP. And while many would believe otherwise, in truth, he still had to.

“[Having been] three years on the side,” the Green Archers center offered. “I was full of emotion.”

“I almost got into a point that I almost gave up,” he also shared.

Since 2013, the buzz had been around the Cameroonian and the Green and White. But before being recruited into the fold of the Taft-based squad, he was a youngster sitting at the backseat in the Southwestern University in the CESAFI.

At the time, the Cobras were already fielding a primary import. The young Mbala still had to earn his minutes and make the most out of his playing time. And the waiting paid off when he led SWU to the CESAFI title in 2013.

But that didn’t open a route to the UAAP.

Mbala had to go through another waiting game for a crack at the country’s premier collegiate league. Having served a two-year residency, spectators and pundits alike were expecting Mbala to finally blaze a trail for the Archers in the 2015-16 season in hopes of adding another championship banner to La Salle’s rafters. That dream got struck down by the UAAP board when the body ruled the cager ineligible after violating a league policy.

Fast-forward to Wednesday night’s euphoria, the player who evolved into a hardened veteran of many hoop battles flashed his playful side before the press.

“I want to say thank you to this guy,” he goofily gestured toward Ayo. “I call him ‘Mr. Biceps.’ The managers, also the physical therapists, the ball boys, my teammates — everyone had our back.”

And while he has won basketball championships before, this, according to the Yaounde native, is the best one yet.

“My first year playing, having a new coach. I’m coming out two years without playing and that was really odd,” he added. “Coming out and winning this championship, it’s really sweet because we got it (at the expense of) Ateneo. It was a memorable finals after what I’ve been through.”

“I’m just doing my best to help my team win. I’m just glad we’re able to recognize my handiwork and make me the MVP,” he said of his individual award.

The first-year Archer garnered 92.4286 statistical points to run away with the most coveted individual plum. At far second was another Cameroonian, Papi Sarr, who compiled 69.8571.

Worth the wait: Mbala breaks down after finally taking UAAP by storm https://t.co/mppgvFwCDb | by @olminleyba via @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/hQGfsaPZBC

— Philstar Sports Hub (@StarSportsHub) December 7, 2016

It is also worth noting that the second most words of relief came from the guy who seemed to be built as a weapon for the game of basketball. In the 17 games he has played in, Mbala was, for most of the time, Ayo’s second voice. In those times the former went to the press room for post-game interviews, he always made one point across: There’s still a lot to improve.    

The Green Archers went on to the semifinals, and eventually the finals, but their character was tested by the former champions FEU, the eventual first-runner up Ateneo, and even by the dark horse Adamson.

But after Wednesday night, those worries can now be put to rest as they have finally put a fitting conclusion to a nearly perfect season.

“All of the teams want to beat us because they feel we’re the team to beat. And that’s the most challenging thing: To always step up, to improve our game, and to always find adjustment,” Mbala said.

“We had talent … and we got used to just expressing our talents,” he added in a separate Philstar.com interview. “But when it comes to games, especially in the second round, and in the Finals, it goes down to execution of game plans. We had to stay focused and stick to the game plan.

“But all of us wanted to win. We did what (Coach Ayo) needed to do and we sacrificed a lot. Those are the reasons why we’re able to achieve this,” he added.

The youngest of four siblings raised Catholic, Mbala also shared that this sport — which has given him tons, wasn’t even his first choice. Growing up in Africa, he said his pastime was soccer.

But like anyone who’s made it to any sporting summit, Mbala stressed that one has to be willing to put on the work to be there.

“It’s just saying that if you ever want to do something, put dedication into it, and be all for it. If you really believe that, you could achieve anything.”

And staying true to the team’s mantra, he went on to add, “If you could just stick to it and do ‘whatever it takes,’ you can do it.

“And of course, leave everything to God,” he added.

Mbala will return for the Green Archers next season.