Full-bodied DLsU seeks solid win versus UP

Games today (MOA Arena) 2 p.m. – UST vs FEU 4 p. m. – DLSU vs UP

They may be off to three straight wins and now have the luxury of a complete squad with the return of in-form Ben Mbala but La Salle coach Aldin Ayo is far from satisfied with the Green Archers’ showing so far in the UAAP Season men’s basketball tourney.

Describing their 85-73 disposal of Adamson as a “bad win”, Ayo said the defending champions still have a lot of work cut out for them.

“We had a problem in execution. Right after the first half (against AdU), they thought the game was over and in the second half, their immaturity, their tendency to veer away from the game plan and play individualistic came out. Good thing, they’re acknowledging their mistakes and that’s a start. We really have to work on that,” he said.

The Green Archers try to give Ayo a “more satisfying” Win No. 4 plus the solo lead today when they take on University of the Philippines (2-1) at 4 p.m. at the MOA Arena.

The return of Mbala from a two-game absence with his stint with the Cameroonian national team made La Salle complete at last last Wednesday. He quickly made his presence felt, dumping 32 big points, grabbing 10 rebounds and swatting away four shots to lead the team to victory.

“When Ben was away, we gained a lot as a team and he gained a lot as an individual; it’s just a matter of putting things together. Now Ben’s already here, we’re already complete and we can start moving forward, working on our team chemistry and try to reach peak form,” said Ayo.

The Fighting Maroons found themselves in the upper rungs of the standings after beating winless University of the East last Sunday, 84-71, behind the hot hands of Paul Desiderio.

UP also scored a morale victory off the court as Rob Ricafort secured a temporary restraining order from Manila RTC Branch 19 Judge Marlo Magdoza Malagar against the UAAP ruling declaring him ineligible.