Mbala erupts for 45 points, hauls 15 rebounds as Archers crush Knights
Ben Mbala of La Salle | File photo
MANILA, Philippines – Ben Mbala unleashed a career-best performance as La Salle destroyed Letran, 93-77, on Friday to bolster its quarterfinal bid in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Mbala, who won a UAAP title and MVP for La Salle last season, was merciless as he dropped 45 points, his best effort in a La Salle uniform, he spiked with 17 rebounds and three blocks to power the Archers to their fifth win against three losses.
The Cameroonian actually started out more defensive-minded as he had 12 boards on top of 15 points after the first half when La Salle took a 45-32 advantage.
He then went on a scoring tear in the final half when he unloaded a 30-point binge to carry the Taft-based dribblers to victory.
After the game, La Salle coach Aldin Ayo talked about their UAAP preparation.
“We want to use this tournament to prepare for the UAAP. In this game, we just want high percentage shots, that’s why we went to him (Mbala) all game,” said Ayo, who won against this same team he steered to the NCAA championship two years ago.
La Salle would clinch the final quarters berth if archrival Ateneo loses to NCAA titlist San Beda, which is being played as of posting time.
The Knights, who rested its hurting leader Rey Nambatac as early as last month, ended their campaign with a 1-7 (win-loss) record.
The scores:
La Salle 93 – Mbala 45, Rivero 17, Melecio 8, Santillan 8, Baltazar 5, Tratter 4, Capacio 3, Gonzales 2, Caracut 1, Go 0, Tero 0
Letran 77 – Balanza 22, Quinto 14, Calvo 14, Ambohot 8, Vacaro 6, Caralipio 4, Balagasay 3, Taladua 3, Pascual 2, Gedaria 1, Pamulaklakin 0, Bernabe 0, Mandreza 0, De Villa 0
Quarterscores: 20-16; 45-32; 72-54; 93-77
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