Mbala says Archers can still improve
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — Adamson vs UP
4 p.m. — UE vs La Salle
As talented as defending champion La Salle is, reigning league MVP Ben Mbala is convinced the Green Archers still have plenty of room for improvement in UAAP Season 80 basketball.
The 6-foot-7 Mbala and the rest of the Archers have a chance to polish rough edges when La Salle takes on free-falling University of the East today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tipoff is at 4 p.m., with the Archers looking for an encore to a season record 115-86 victory over the skidding University of the East Red Warriors.
Its much-awaited encounter with archrival Ateneo, still undefeated after six games, on Sunday also gives La Salle another reason to build enough momentum.
The Archers could get such against the Warriors who have dropped their first five matches, the last a 79-60 blowout at the hands of Adamson last Sunday.
However, Mbala would like to focus on how the Archers can gather their act after being stunned by the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons two weeks ago.
“They say we’re the team to beat being the (defending) champions. But we’re not,” said the Cameroonian, refusing to be lulled into
complacency.
“We are a team like everyone else. Everyone has a chance to win the championship. Teams are preparing well against us so we have to find a way to get back. If ever, we have to increase what we did last year.”
The Falcons, winners of their last two matches, and the Maroons, humbled by host Far Eastern University 78-59 last Sunday, square off in the 2 p.m. opener, with the winner earning a share of third spot with the idle Tamaraws.
While Adamson i s pleased to see Cameroon center Papi Sarr regain his usual strength, UP is set to miss the services of defenseminded big man Noah Webb due to a sprained left ankle he endured in their loss to FEU.
Much of the spotlight, however, will fall on the main match, with Mbala himself out to reassert his dominance after seeing his impressive run of double-doubles snapped by UST But the Green Archers should still do their fair share if they intend to get the job done, said Mbala. “I’m not here to look for double-doubles. I’m just here to help my team win. It’s not about my stats, it’s all about winning I’ll give that away, I don’t mind. It’s not about myself, it’s about our team,” he said.