La Salle celebrates its ninth overall championship. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
If there’s one thing that made La Salle’s “Mayhem” defense deadlier, it was Ben Mbala and Abu Tratter’s imposing post presence on both ends of the floor.
That partnership helped produce an overall 16-1 record for the Green Archers and the UAAP basketball title.
Tratter said his relationship with Mbala stretches far beyond the basketball court.
“When I first got here in the Philippines he was my best friend,” said Tratter. “It’s the off court relationship that molds us in the court.”
And both know their respective roles in the team with Mbala providing the offensive punch and Tratter playing the part of the scrappy enforcer.
“There’s a zing when we know what’s going on with each other.”
Mbala, the soft-spoken MVP, also sees Tratter as more than a teammate.
“We’re brothers, we’ve been together in Team B and we based our game on hustling and fighting for every single ball,” said Mbala. “We’re brothers on and off the court.”