NU’s Mbe gains top honors

MANILA, Philippines - Left to help carry the cudgels for National U, Emmanuel Mbe has proven he’s up to the task, powering the Bulldogs to the solo lead in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament with an 8-3 (win-loss) record.

With back-to-back MVP Bobby Ray Parks providing the leadership, the 6-foot-7 Cameroonian has given the Bulldogs the needed inside presence, enough to steer them to a five-game winning streak and into the top of the heap.

More importantly, Mbe is making sure NU remains a force to reckon with, even without any help from fellow Cameroonian Alfred Aroga, who failed to complete his eligibility documents.

Mbe proved this again last Saturday, banging in game-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds while leading the Bulldogs to an 81-73 victory against the depleted University of the East Red Warriors, netting him the Accel 3XVI UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week honors.

In that win, Mbe pumped in eight big points in the foruth, highlighted by a monstrous dunk, that enabled the Bulldogs to pull away for good.

“Mammie was not there but I knew it was still going to be a big battle. We just came out to play our game,” said Mbe, who also earned for himself the ACCEL 3XVI UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week honors.