Recording their best start to the season since 2002, the DLSU Green Archers remain undefeated in eight games. Their supreme performance can be attributed to multiple factors—coach Aldin Ayo’s “Mayhem” system, Jeron Teng’s leadership, or simply, the team’s movement as one unit. However, people should not forget big man Ben Mbala’s play in the middle, a major factor in every one of DLSU’s games so far. In his fifth version of the Green Journal Mbala talks about the team going deeper into its title campaign, his performance and work ethic, classes, and his pre-game routine.
Going into the second half
I feel like we’re getting better. We’re confident but we shouldn’t be mayabang. We shouldn’t become overconfident because other teams will come prepared for us since they’ve been saying that we’re the team to beat. They will put in everything [to stop us] even if they have to hurt us. They want us to lose games so it’s up to us to really be tough mentally and be ready to face whatever they throw at us.
I still think I can do better than what I did in the first round of the season. I feel like I’m not helping my teammates enough because looking at my assists, I don’t really get a lot of assists during games and I feel like I’m still playing for myself. I’m not giving my teammates an open shot that I should help them get, because for sure, they [opponents] will double or triple team me, so someone else will be open so I have to find a way to pass, kick that ball out and give them the open shots.
Another point that I think I should still work on is probably my turnovers. I’m one of the players leading in turnovers in the league, and I think I should find a way to fix that because I can’t just keep turning the ball over like that during games.
Working hard on and off the court
I’m glad I didn’t have to stop eating Rosemary Chicken [from Agno]. I don’t believe that stopping [eating] a specific type of food would make me faster or stronger. It’s about knowing what’s good for you and what’s not good for you. I keep eating normally but the thing I did the most was work harder, twice harder than anyone. Before practice, I would come here early to go run. I’m already sweaty and tired before practice and I have to do the same job they’re doing and after practice I have to stay here.
It’s up to you to move yourself and get yourself to work out every day, so at the end of the day, you get used to it and it’s going to be easier for you. I haven’t been able to play NBA 2K recently and going to class is not easy. Professors would be mad at us if we don’t attend class, even during games. They need to see us in class and we have to make it fair. You can’t just not go to class and expect a special treatment. You don’t do that. It’s unfair.
Getting into the zone
Before the game, of course, I pray first then I listen to really loud music, like really loud. It’s really funny but I listen to energetic stuff like, you know Desiigner? Panda? His album’s pretty intense. I also have this playlist in my phone that I just play. I listen to a lot of hip-hop. I always do push-ups before the game. Before the game I need to stretch, I need to condition myself and be ready for whatever’s coming for me.
Trust me, during games I go through things that you have no idea of. I have to be ready for that. Those dirty plays, dirty tricks, you know? I’m just glad that I’m already able to handle that without complaining. I just laugh it out and walk away.
Get to know more about Ben Mbala through his previous versions of the Green Journal:
