It’s four days before the UAAP Season 79 Finals. The DLSU Green Archers are still waiting to see who they will face, between the ADMU Blue Eagles and the FEU Tamaraws. Almost half an hour past 8 pm and the team has already been running sets for hours, vying to perfect their play. Mid-play, Coach Ayo takes out Ben Mbala and brings in Abu Tratter. Mbala, surprised, looks to his teammates and says, “I’m not even tired.” He then makes his way to the baseline, picks up his jump rope and starts to skip while his teammates rest.
Unrelenting pace
It’s the last push, you should find a way to do whatever it takes for you to be ready because there are no more excuses. You win it all or lose it. It doesn’t matter what you did during the elimination round. These will be the most important games we’ll be playing this year so we better take care of it and make it perfect.
For me, personally, I think we have a lot of work to do. Looking at our last few games, FEU and Adamson, I feel like we didn’t play our game and I feel like before we get to the finals, it’s time for us to get back on track and do what we’ve been doing during the first round and play our game, because we really haven’t been running mayhem. There’s been a bunch of individualities. Luckily, we were able to get the W but we still have a lot to work on, especially on defense. I also think our turnover numbers are really high, that’s something we really have to fix. When we’re playing, especially when it’s Final Four or Finals, we can’t just keep turning the ball over. We must be more consistent [with] taking care of the ball.
Winning the MVP
I’ve been telling the guys that it’s a personal thing, it’s not really on my mind. My main goal is to win a championship. Like I said before, if I win the MVP (Most Valuable Player), but not win the championship, that won’t make me feel any better or make me feel good. For players, it’s good, personal awards are good, but the only thing that will stay on the record is the guy who helped his team win the championship. That’s the thing I want to achieve, be champions first. Like I told the guys, if you do good as a team, the personal rewards will follow.
On graduating players and being a leader
Well, it was a great learning experience for me to be able to get to play with guys like Jeron [Teng], Thomas [Torres], Jason [Perkins], and Julian [Sargent] ‘cause I was really able to learn beside them. They were really open guys and they were really giving me tips. I’ll really miss them, I’m not going to lie to you. You know, playing with guys with experience really helps you elevate and improve your game. I feel like when they leave, I’ll have a lot on my shoulders. [I’ll miss] not only the package or the level of play they could deliver during the game, but also their leadership. I should learn to take over and be able to lead the team. I feel like it will be my job and responsibility to lead those young rookies who’ll be looking up to me and be able to give them advice. Also, to be able to be patient with them ‘cause, you know, they’re rookies, they’ll be doing mistakes.
Preparing for the battle
Saying I’ve been relaxing would be a wrong word, but I’d say I’ve been getting ready, mentally and physically, because the championship cannot be played with the crowd or referees. It’s about you, your teammates, and staff against the opposite team. Forget about the rest. If you want it, do whatever it takes for you to have it. In another way, I find time to relax and keep my mind out of all the stress by spending time with friends and people I’m close to. Like last Sunday, you probably heard I was in St. James’ Bazaar. You know, I go to church, I pray. I spend time with people who make me forget about the stress, just make me have a good time.
I just hope that the Lasallian community will be there to support us because we really need them to be there and to cheer us on because it won’t be easy. You’ll need all the support and all the help you can have. I wish they can also say a little bit of prayer for us for our final games.
Read more on Ben Mbala’s previous journals
