Ben Mbala. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Head coach: Aldin Ayo
Last year: 6-8
Key additions: Aljun Melecio, Ben Mbala, Ricci Rivero
Key holdovers: Jeron Teng, Prince Rivero, Jason Perkins
Ben Mbala could only watch as La Salle was sent to successive heartwrenching exits the past two seasons.
The first time was when the Green Archers’ Final Four run ended on a buzzer-beating triple from Far Eastern University’s Mac Belo in UAAP Season 77.
The year after, they squandered a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter to lose to the Tamaraws’ anew in a game where the Archers’ needed to win to stave off elimination.
Dealt with one painful loss after another, Mbala and the rest of La Salle have had enough.
“My teammates are really working hard everyday, They’re really hungry especially thinking about how we lost the last two years against FEU,” said Mbala, who was shelved for three years after serving a one-year suspension and two-year residency.
“The guys are really hungry. This is like our redemption year for us because we really want to go back on top.”
Skipper Jeron Teng feels the same way with the pain from past failures fueling the Archers’ fire.
“We’re really hungry this year. We didn’t make it to the Final Four last year so we’re still bringing the pain from last year and I think we’re really hungry to win this year,” he said.
With the 6-foot-7 Mbala finally eligible to play along side Teng and Jason Perkins, who are in their final playing year, La Salle finds itself as the clear favorite to win it all.
And Green Archers head coach Aldin Ayo isn’t the type who shies away from challenges.
Ayo also doesn’t seem too concerned with dealing with the high expectations set on his star-studded squad.
“Pressure is everywhere. It’s inevitable. If I had stayed in Letran, I have the pressure to repeat. Now that I’m with La Salle, I have the pressure to win,” said Ayo, who steered the Letran Knights to a surprise title run in the NCAA.
“I see pressure as an opportunity if you handle it well.”
Teng also sees no problem with the Archers having a big target on their back.
“It just shows that we can really win it and we just have to work hard for it and stay focused on our goals.”