Mbala dominates, La Salle downs Arellano for Filoil crown

La Salle’s Ben Mbala dunks the ball against Arellano University in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Finals Sunday, June 12, 2016, at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Mbala had 28 points, 26 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the Green Archers over the Chiefs, 86-74, and a fourth title in the preseason tournament. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

De La Salle banked on Ben Mbala to dispose of Arellano late, 86-74, and fittingly cap its dominant run in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup with a championship Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Mbala, who was named MVP before tip off, was unstoppable with 28 points, 26 rebounds and eight blocks as La Salle went undefeated in the tournament becoming the first team to do such since National University completed an 11-game sweep en route to the preseason crown in 2012.

After a nip-and-tuck first three quarters, La Salle used a 15-3 run to open the fourth period and erect a decisive 76-61 advantage.

The Green Archers clinched their fourth Filoil title while no other team has won more than two. 

The Cameroonian big man also set a league-record in scoring with 226 points over a 10-game span, and also tallied the most blocks in a single game with his eight rejections.

“It was a hard fought game. We stuck with the system and laban lang ng laban and nakita naman yung willingness to win ng mga players,” said DLSU head coach Aldin Ayo, whose squad showed why it’s the clearcut favorite to win the UAAP title this season.

Abu Tratter also posted a double-double with 13 markers and 11 rebounds, while Jeron Teng nailed eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter for La Salle.

Jiovani Jalalon saw his scintillating start go down the drain as he cooled off after firing six triples in the first half where the Chiefs took a 32-21 lead early in the second half.

Jalalon still finished with a game-high 32 points that went with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Kent Salado had 16 points, four boards, and three assists for Arellano.

The scores:

LA SALLE 86 – Mbala 28, Tratter 13, Teng 13, Torres 9, Caracut 7, Montalbo 5, Melecio 5, Go 4, Gob 2, Dyke 0, Langston 0.

ARELLANO 74 – Jalalon 32, Salado 16, Flores 6, Gumaru 5, Enriquez 4, Canete 3, Nicholls 2, Cadavis 2, Meca 2, Aguilar 2, Holts 0, Villoria 0, Ongolo-Ongolo 0, Gupilan 0.

Quarters: 21-26, 40-42, 61-58, 86-74.