Green Journal: Ben Mbala v.2

In the second installment of his Green Journal, Ben Mbala recalls the first time he dunked a ball and the biggest lesson he has learned from the sport. The eager Green Archer also talks about his favorite food, shares his thoughts on DLSU head coach Aldin Ayo, and names the rookies that have impressed him the most.

His first dunk

I think I was 13 years old [when I first dunked]. It was my first year [playing basketball and] I was still learning how to play. I still remember that play; It was a pick-and-roll situation, and we were just playing three-on-three.

The funny thing is, my first dunk was on someone. It wasn’t just me trying to dunk. You know, like everyone always gets the ball and sprints to try and dunk, hang on the ring and stuff like that.

At the time I dunked the ball I didn’t realize what I did. At the end of practice, coach was talking to me, and was like ‘Did you even know what you just did?’ You just did what people call a poster, and that was your first dunk ever. You know with things like that happening to me, I started falling in love with the game. I started working harder and harder.

Considering fast breaks and people [the Lasallian community] expecting me to dunk, it’s not like I have to dunk the ball. I’m just trying to make it easier for my teammates. Probably just asking them to throw it [the ball] in the air, and then I find a way to catch it and dunk. I try to outrun the other big men knowing that they’re a bit slower than me, and just dunk it if they’re in my back. What I have in mind is I’m just trying to make it easier for my teammates.

The most valuable lesson I’ve picked up from basketball

Nothing comes easy. If you want something, go for it. Do what it takes for you to achieve it. Even if you have to sacrifice things. Always be humble. You could be the best player in the world, you can be a hard worker, and you can be talented. If God is not in your side, bad things will always happen to you. You need to keep your head up and always be humble, thank the Lord for everything that is happening in your life.

Favorite food

I like Chicken Adobo that’s my favorite [Filipino dish].  [Here in Taft,] I’ll go anywhere where there are chicken wings. There is also this store in Agno [Good Munch], where I always eat what they call Rosemary Chicken. I can eat it every day. I really love it. I remember one day, I ate like five [orders].

Thoughts on coach Ayo and the impressive freshmen

Coach [Aldin] Ayo is like a big bro for us, because he’s really open to us, he always talks to us. He hangs out with us, and gives us advice on and off the court. He’s very patient, he’s really passionate about what he is doing and he really wants us to improve as players and as students.

I’ll go with [Aljun] Melecio and Justine Baltazar [as the most impressive freshmen]. Melecio can really step up coming off the bench, and provide for the second group, while Baltazar is really learning fast. I feel like he can easily adjust from high school to college. They’re really doing good in practice.