UAAP: Mbala vows La Salle will be ‘a different team’ in Game 2 | ABS-CBN

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UAAP: Mbala vows La Salle will be ‘a different team’ in Game 2

UAAP: Mbala vows La Salle will be ‘a different team’ in Game 2

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

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La Salle's Ben Mbala (23) is triple-teamed by Ateneo's Chibueze Ikeh, Anton Asistio, and Vince Tolentino. Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University big man Ben Mbala knows the Green Archers will have to come out strong in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 80 finals if they hope to force a deciding contest against their archrivals, the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

With Mbala limited to his lowest output in the UAAP, La Salle yielded to Ateneo, 76-70, in Game 1 last Saturday. They are in unfamiliar territory heading into Wednesday's Game 2 at the Araneta Coliseum: it will be the first time in the past two seasons that the Green Archers are playing with their backs against the wall.

"Obviously, if we lose the next game, then it is over," said Mbala, who was limited to just eight points in Game 1 after norming 26.0 points per game in the elimination round.

"We are not going to go out there just to have a regular and mediocre game," he vowed. "We just have to go out there and win the game, because without it, we are going to be out, and everything we've been doing throughout the season will just be gone to waste."

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Crucial to their chances is how the Green Archers will respond to coach Aldin Ayo's adjustments. Mbala stresses that they have to "stick to our game plan," especially after seeing how the Ateneo guards were able break down their defense repeatedly.

"If coach has a perfect and splendid game plan for us, we just have to stick to the game plan and play together as a team," said the 22-year-old Mbala, who also emphasized that La Salle should control the glass against a smaller Ateneo team.

Perhaps what is most important for La Salle, however, is how Mbala will perform in Game 2. The Cameroonian big man attempted only seven shots in Game 1, as Ateneo's double teams repeatedly forced him to give up the rock.

He did have 12 rebounds and four assists, but without his usual contributions on offense, the Green Archers struggled. Only an explosive output by Aljun Melecio (24 points on 8-of-19 shooting, five threes) kept La Salle in the game, but the reigning Rookie of the Year went cold in the fourth quarter as well.

Mbala is determined to prove his worth as a two-time MVP and bounce back from what is undoubtedly his poorest outing in a La Salle uniform.

"We all know I average over 20 points per game, but now I'm held to eight points," said Mbala. "Expect me to be more aggressive offensively."

He also promised to play smarter after being baited into committing four fouls – including a technical – by the Blue Eagles.

"That is not something coming from me. I never get technical fouls during the game, meaning they were able to get into my head," he acknowledged.

"That is something that shouldn't happen again."

Game 2 of the UAAP Season 80 Finals is on Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum. Tip off is at 4:00 p.m.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)

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