Who Is Benoit Mbala?

I was fortunate enough to have met SWU rookie center Benoit Mbala during the PCCL Semis. He struck me as a very hard working athlete who plays hard on both ends of the court. I immediately noticed how he put emphasis on defense and was ready to body up and block shots. He's no slouch either when it comes to shooting. His 41 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks output against UAAP powerhouse UST says a lot and he did that without committing a single foul.

 

Ben Mbala agreed to a short  interview and a chance for us to get to know him better.

 

 

Raddy Mabasa: Hi Ben, thanks a lot for letting me get a chance to ask you some questions. First off, watching you play, I thought that you had played college ball for some time now. How old are you?

 

Benoit Mbala: Well, first of all my full name is Benoit Mbala Mendzana and I am 17 years old.

 

RM: Where were you born? Did you come from a large family?

 

BM: I am Cameroonian and I am from Yaounde, the capital. I come from a family of 5 children and I am the youngest. 

 

RM: How tall and how heavy are you?

 

BM: I am about 6'7" and 240 lbs.

 

RM: That should make opposing centers' life more difficult considering you can easily out-reach and out-push most of them. Tell me, how did you find yourself in the Philippines.

BM: Moustapha Arafat who is now suiting up for UE is a very close friend of mine.  We played in Basketball Without Borders* together and when he came over to the Philippines he convinced me to come over as well because according to him this is a great basketball country. I arrived here when i was still 16 years of age. I tell you, it was very hard for my family to let me go because I was the youngest and I had plans of going to the United States after the BWB camp.

RM: I'm sure there were a lot of other good players with you in that camp. How did you do compared to the others?

BM: I managed to be MVP of the camp, that is why I was supposed to go to the US after the camp ended.

 

RM: Wow, you chose the Philippines over the US! How did you get started with basketball?

BM: I used to play soccer but I started to grow taller really fast and when I turned 12 I started to play basketball and fell in love with the sport. My mum bought me a personal court so i could practice anytime I wanted. A friend of my brother also saw my height and introduced me to a team.  

RM: Why didn't you come to Manila? Why Cebu?

BM: Because the one who first contacted me was SWU Coach Yayoy Alcoseba and he asked me to play for his team.

RM: Speaking of Coach Alcoseba, how would you describe him?

BM: Coach Yayoy is more than a coach to me. He is more like a father. He is also a friend and teacher who guides me as well outside of the court.

RM: What course are you enrolled in?

BM: I am taking up Accounting.

RM: Did you ever stop playing soccer?

BM: I still play soccer because it is the national sport in Cameroon.

RM: Almost all basketball players look up to someone. Who do you admire the most?

BM: As a basketball player, you have to try to be complete so that you can adjust to every situation. I get this attitude from the player I idolize: LeBron James. He is good in offense but he also cares about defense, boxing out, rebounding, blocking, and helping his teammates get better. When LeBron lost a number of playoff and championship matches he was criticized by many people but he still keep on going hard, working hard, playing hard.

 

 

 

RM: Yes, it is very apparent that you work really hard on both your offense and defense. Can you tell me something about that game against UST where you scored 41 points, got 16 rebounds blocked 4 shots?

BM: All I can say is I was really mad because we lost our first two games and I didn't want to end up losing the third. We were playing for and representing the Southern Islands, we had to win at least a game.

 

 

RM: Just a few final questions. Who are you closest to on your team?
 

BM: That would have to be Justin Aboude. He is older than me and he is always helping me out by giving me advice and cheering me up. I consider him like my older brother.

 

RM: What are your plans after you graduate?

 

BM: After college I want to try and play basketball in a professional league. If not, then I will find a job and start a family.

RM: With your talent and attitude I think it will be easy for you to find a team who needs your abilities. By the way, do you have a routine before a game? 

 

BM: Before every game I pray because I come from a Catholic family and God is the center of my life. After that I try to focus on what will happen during the game. I don't do anything special, I just try to concentrate on the instructions of the coach.

RM: What is a typical day for Ben Mbala?

BM: A typical practice day for me is jogging, work out, and practice (shooting skills, dribbling skills, etc.).

 

RM: In a few words, can you describe yourself?

 

BM: I am a simple guy who likes to be crazy and have fun but also knows when to be serious.

 

RM: Lastly, I heard some rumors that there are Universities in Manila who were impressed with your brand of basketball. Any chance you would consider playing here?

 

BM: I don't really know about moving to Manila, but you know as a player I need greater challenges to see where I still need to improve.

 

RM: Ok, Ben, thank you again for your time and for sharing all these personal insights. The best of luck to you and your basketball career.

 

BM: Thank you too!

 

 

*Basketball Without Borders is a FIBA and NBA international development and community relations outreach program. About 1,000 young athletes from over 100 countries and territories worldwide participate in this program to promote  leadership, education and sportsmanship among other things.

Added Feb 2013...Recent news has come out that Ben Mbala will be seeing action for DLSU after a 1 year residency! We wish him all the best and see great things for him and DLSU in the coming years! Another milestone in what is bound to become a storied career. Congratulations!!

 

PCCL Finals 2 Buzz Kill

Buzz Kill  (Slang) The act of ruining a special moment.


ADMU 70-69 UST

UST supporters came out in full force hoping for a sweep in the PCCL finals against Ateneo. Approximately 90 of the crowds that were gathered were cheering for the black and gold.

 

Coach Pido Jarencio also probably smelled victory looming nearby as he left his sickbed and a bout of German measles to play lead tactician on the bench. 

 

 

It would, after all, have been their first PCCL title, if events went their way. Unfortunately, The Blue Eagles, led by Kiefer Ravena and fate had other plans.

 

Ateneo was coached by Gabby Severino with Coach Sandy A and Bo Perasol nearby.

 

 

 

Call me superstitious, but as I mentioned in past writings or musings, so long as there are dunks going on during the warm ups, the Blue side usually wins.

 

Starting for the Blue side of Katipunan were Chua, Gonzaga, Ravena, Tiongson and Salva. This is the first start for Justin Chua in these games. Nico again took the center slot. Ravena was looking over to the "dark" side (they had "light" uniforms) and seemed to be assessing the UST line-up.

 

 

UST's first five consisted of Abdul, Afuang, Ferrer, Fortuna and Jeric Teng.

 

Salva beats Karim Abdul to the ball and taps it to a team mate. And we're off...

 

 

Ateneo started like a house on fire and turned their energy levels up a notch in the early going of the game. The players were very offensive minded and went for the basket whenever they were open. Passing was also like thin crust pizza, extra crisp.

 

Salva starts hostilities with a jump shot near the top of the key. Salva, Slaughter and Sumalinog (hmmmm, that's 3 names that start with S) skipped their D-league game to be with their Alma Mater. Nico Salva actually had a key game with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

 

 

Ravena was in the zone! His first assist was to Tonino Gonzaga while off balance. Gonzaga complimented the assist with a 3 point shot.

 

 

Kiefer also accounted for three 3's in the first quarter.

 

 

The Germans have a word that could summarize the first quarter: Blitzkrieg. Roughly translated, it means "lightning war"...you get the picture...It's one of those moments when your friends tell you "you should have been there!".

 

After some lane incursions, some dunks and some jump shots...

 

 

 

 

when there is a lull in the action, the opposition usually gets together and tries to find a way to counter.

 

 

At the 1:45 mark of the first quarter, after a Ravena 3-point shot, Ateneo posted the biggest lead in this finals series at 17, 28-11. Ravena would score 12 of those 28 points.

 

 

After Jeric Fortuna counters with his own three on the other end, the first canto winds up with The Eagles sporting a 14 point edge.

 

Now, this is by no means a comfortable lead; the UST players have embraced their coach's "never say die" attitude and they always do find a way to claw back.

 

The second quarter basically saw both teams trade baskets. Ateneo managed to keep a 13 point lead going into the half.

 

 

The only things of note are:

 

1. Jeric Teng was quiet and only managed to make his first two points at the 0:50 mark off free throws.

 

2. Ateneo sill had 2 fouls to give in the last 17.9 seconds and used them to prevent the UST dice from making an attempt at the basket.

 

3. UST made better use of the opponents turnovers by scoring 9 points of them against Ateneo's 2.

 

4. Ateneo had a 60% shooting percentage in the first half against UST's 34.4%. They also had more rebounds, 18-15 and assists, 11-6. It looked like things were going well on the Blue side but then again, the law will always catch up with you sooner or later...the law-of-averages, I mean.

 

 

The 3rd quarter was more eventful. The Ateneo players on the court started to be a bit more careless with the ball towards the tail end of the 2nd Q and this continued in the 3rd. These turn overs together with a number of fouls allowed UST to trim the lead to 10. Unfortunately, the Tigers were not able to capitalize on the free throws in this quarter, missing 6 of the 12 freebies.

 

With 8:12 to go, Juami Tiongson took a jump shot from near the top of the key and landed on the outstretched foot of Kevin Ferrer. This resulted in a sprain and he had to sit out the remainder of the game with his ankle on ice. Some people maintain that this was intentional, but I don't think Ferrer is a dirty player who would intentionally hurt another. He plays hard and tried to use every advantage he can get, and maybe sometimes gets carried away, but I don't think he committed the foul intentionally.

 

I also don't like posting photos of hurt players, but this is a photo of Salva acting the big brother and making sure Ferrer knows he will be watched from this point on.

 

 

Nico Elorde subs for Tiongson and takes the free throw but misses. He was a great back up for the injured Tiongson with his quarter backing and defense that Ravena gave him credit during a post game interview.

 

 

Also during the 3rd (6:59) Ravena gets a breakaway drive that catches Fortuna flat-footed and results in an unopposed dunk.

 

 

As expected Ravena and Ferrer are guarding each other during the game and after the Tiongson sprain go at each other with increased intensity such that on one play both get called with a double foul.

 

 

UST manages to bridge the gap to 5, 54-49 when a 3 point shot by Gonzaga gives them some breathing room. The 3rd ends with Ateneo still leading by 8, but UST can smell blood in the water.

 

Gonzaga manages to make 3 out of 3 rainbow attempts and 2 of 2 free throws for a near flawless offense (1 of 3 2-point attempts). He also effectively guards UST ace gunner Jeric Fortuna.

 

 

UST tries to make a run at the start of the 4th with a 10-0 run to take the lead (57-59). Jeric Teng comes alive and hits a 3 and gets fouled for an and 1. Teng catches his breath after he gets knocked to the floor after the made 3.

 

 

Gonzaga, Ravena, Chua, Golla and Buenafe are in for Ateneo and UST has a short line up in Teng, Abdul, Mariano, Fortuna and Bautista.

 

Slaughter comes in for Chua after 2 minutes or so have gone by and manages to stop the draught with 2 points at the 7:37 mark. A few exchanges later the game is tied at 62.

 

At around this time, Slaughter is about to take a short stab when Abdul goes for the ball but gets an arm instead. He gets whistled for his 4th. As he complains to the refs he turns around and doesn't see Gonzaga in his path and knocks him down (unintentionally) but instead of helping the fallen player down he continues to bicker. The referee has had enough and calls him for a T for excessive complaining, which means a 5th foul and retirement from the game.

 

  

This is a very unfortunate incident as the outcome could have been different had Abdul stayed. The complexion of the game could have also been more engaging.

 

This is an interesting anecdote. About halfway through the 4th (Ateneo ahead 68-64), Arvin my friend, who is a stone cold die hard Atenean, tells me that part of him wishes that the tournament would end on that day because of the usual December commitments he has. Soon after that UST comes back and takes a 1 point lead 68-69. It's a good think he took it back! Events unfolded quickly after this.

 

With 1:32 left, Slaughter gets fouled but misses both and UST runs back to their side of the court hoping to pad their lead.

 

Fortuna has been having a great game. If this were his last game in a UST uniform and they became champions, his fame would have been near legendary status (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists). He was throwing up 3's and making them when they were needed.

 

 

He threw up a hurried 3 with 1:13 left in the game and missed, the ball went out of bounds and Coach Pido sued for time.

 

At the resumption of play, Teng inbounds the ball into the hands of Fortuna who is being watched with Eagle eyes by Gonzaga who has been hounding him all game long. He dribbles the ball beyond the arc killing time and maybe showing his intentions. As the shot clock winds down he launches another three that bounces off the rim.

 

Slaughter is in great position to corner the rebound who fires a pass to Gonzaga who misses a lay up.

 

UST hurries back to their front court knowing time is winding down. They set up a play that finds Mariano with the ball and he attempts a short jump shot that finds it's way out of bounds with 1 second left in their shot clock (18.6 seconds left in the game). Another UST time out to plan.

 

Pido Jarencio puts in his 3 point shooters to increase his offensive options. Teng, Fortuna, Ferrer, Mariano and Afuang can all make this shot. If they get lucky. Afuang rifles a pass to Ferrer who launches a 3 from left quarter court that comes low. The ball is headed for Salva who taps it to Gonzaga who in turn spots Ravena streaking towards their basket. His pass is flawless and Ravena goes in for a lay in. You can see the expectant look of the people in the background. He makes the shot and pandemonium erupts as Ateneo takes the lead at 70-69. Time left 11.4 seconds.

 

 

The Tigers have one last chance to salvage this game. Fortuna brings the ball up, but this time he is looking to pass. Gonzaga is around to thwart any attempts.

 

 

He dishes off a pass to Melo Afuang who is in the deep left corner and he launches a three. Ryan Buenafe has been lurking around considering options and he is close by Afuang and makes a desperate lounge and manages a clean block. Time down to 3 tenths of a second.

 

 

 

Fortuna takes the last ditch attempt and his shot falls short of the basket. The Blue Eagles snatch a close win in the dying seconds by playing great defense.

 

Throughout his college career Buenafe has taken a lot of criticism. Few people give him credit for his achievements. I know I breathe a little easier when I know that Ryan is around on game day.  He is a very shy person off the court, but inside it he transforms into someone who can take charge of the game, who can take care of the intangibles, who can shoot, rebound or assist as the need arises. He has great court vision and this allows him to play the defensive passing lanes very well and anticipate other players options. He still has some maturing to do, but his will always be an asset to any team.

 

 

So, Ateneo lives to play another day. They should make it count!

 

Notes.

 

After sitting out game 1, Oping Sumalinog played and contributed 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.

 

 

 

 After a slow start Teng manages to finish with 12 points, 5 boards and 3 assists. Karim Abdul has 13 points, 8 rebounds and a block.

 

Slaughter (14 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks) must be betting with Kiefer Ravena (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) after the game who would be chosen Best Player and get interviewed...

 

 

 Guess who?

 

 

Kiefer mentions the strong start they had but then the team always relaxes after they pad their lead. Hopefully this will be corrected by game 3.

 

During his post game interview, Coach Gabby praised Ravena for his performance. he said that "Once a winner, it's hard to get off that track. It's in his (Ravena's) character trait. He doesn't shy away from big shots and challenges."

 

Indeed! 

PCCL 2012 SEMIS DAY 3 (ADMU-SBC)

Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. (John Wooden)

 

 

ADMU 66-49 SBC

 

Now just who is John Wooden? He has been inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach.  Wooden was also head coach of UCLA from 1948-1975 and managed to win 10 championships in a 12 year period. One run went 7 straight years.

 

Once you start to win games consistenely, it's difficult to forget that smell of victory. That poise and mind-set is usually learned through tough hours of training and having to endure heart breaking losses. It's difficult to develop character, but once you get it, it's also tough to lose.

 

Amidst news of an imminent announcement declaring a reconciliation between the ADMU and MVP, The Blue Eagles maintained momentum from their last game to handily barge into the PCCL finals round in an impressive defensive victory againt SBC.

 

During the warm up phase, some players were again going for practice dunks just like in the game with SWU.

 

 

Coach Gabby Severino was calling the shots without Coach Sandy A who was assuming his duties with Talk n Text in the PBA.

 

 

Starting for Ateneo were Juami Tiongson, Justin Chua, Tonino Gonzaga, Kiefer Ravena and at center, Nico Salva. This is the third starting center for Ateneo in three games.

 

 

Whatever reason the coaching staff may have had for starting Salva at the post worked as he had an outstanding with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists and got player of the game honors.

 

 

 

 

Greg Slaughter was again very active in the shaded lane but because the Red Lions had a tendency to double up on the big man, his scoring dipped slightly with 11 points, but he still managed 12 boards and 2 blocks.

 

 

Kiefer Ravena, as usual, played a great all around game with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 8 assists.

 

 

This pass to Greg Slaughter off a drive and draw ended in another rim rattling dunk.

 

 

It may have been these new pair of metallic gold sneakers...

 

 

Juami Tiongson also delivered with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

 

 

The game was very defensively oriented and both teams made little headway on points early on. San Beda had managed a faster start off the blocks but once the Eagles had gained momentum and took the upper hand, they never relinquished the lead. The first quarter ended 15-12 in favor of Ateneo. At Half-time of this low scoring game, the totals were still on the side of the Blue Eagles at 28-26.

 

 

The third canto started with Ateneo fielding in Slaughter, Salva, Tiongson, Ravena and Gonzaga and this is where it gets interesting. Remember that San Beda had 26 points at the end of the 1st half? Check this out...

 

 

That's right, with 3:01 to go, San Beda still had not managed to buy a basket. The ball just kept on bouncing off the rim like it had a lid on it. On the other hand, Ateneo attacked the basket to start with an 18-0 run. My friend Diego, who was taking notes on scoring, told me that San Beda only managed to score at the 1:39 mark and ended up the 3rd quarter with 5 points. This feat prompted Coach Severino to mention at the end of the game that "This was a perfect defensive game by his players". They managed to do this committing a total of only 10 team fouls all game against San Bedas 21.

 

Ateneo managed to erect a whopping  21 point lead going into the tail end of the game.

 

 

The second team again got major playing minutes, led by guard Von Pessumal (2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 15 minutes of action).

 

 

 Kris Porter and Issac Lim also got in the fray...

 

 

 The game ended with Ateneo sporting a 17 point lead at 66-49.

 

The Red Lions got big games from Jake Pascual (10 points, 8 rebounds), Kyle Pascual (8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block), and Baser Amer (15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) whose 3-point shots at the start of the payoff period got his team to within 10 points of Ateneo.

 

 

The game was a rough contested game but it still managed to be a friendly game. Gwyne Capacio got knocked down on a drive to the basket late in the fourth...

 

 

immediately had 4 Red Lions helping him get to his feet...

 

 

Kudos to Rome Dela Rosa, Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual and Baser Amer.

 

Both teams met at half court after the game to exchange pleasantries and congratulate each other. After all both teams are multi-titled champions of the NCAA and UAAP.

 

 

Coach Gabby Severino will be steering this team to the completion of the PCCL. He feels that it will be easier to motivate his players now that it's the finals. With news that Coach Bo Perasol will be at the helm of the Ateneo Bench next year, this may be Coach Gabby's last stint as head coach of the Eagles for a long while. They have to make these next games count!

 

Next up UST.

 

 

 

Notes.

 

These group of young men will most probably be a major part of Ateneo's front court next year.

 

 

The Blue Eagles new Head Coach, Bo Perasol.

Benjie Paras espied at the entrance to the San Beda dugout.

 

 

The statisticians of the ADMU who have been tirelessly compiling those records. (Wish I had their names...)