Ni Marivic Awitan

TULUYAN nang nilisan ni Ben Mbala ang kampo ng La Salle.

Matapos ang samu’t-saring usapin bunsod ng kabiguan ng La Salle Archers na maidepensa ang UAAP title sa Ateneo Blue Eagles, pormal na ipinahayag ng 6-foot-6 Cameronian na hindi na niya tatapusin ang huling season sa Taft-based basketball team.

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Hindi ang Cameronian national team ang dahilan. Umakyat sa pro league ang matikas na forward para sa koponan ng Fuerza Regia sa Mexico City.

Sa kanyang mensahe na ipinoste sa social media account thekidfromCameroon @benmbala saTwitter at Instagram nitong Biyernes, pormal na nagpaalam si Mbala sa kanayang mga katropa, tagahanga at school officials.

“Countless unforgettable memories, It is with a heavy heart that I announce that the time has come for me to move on from De La Salle University and the Green Archers,” panimulang pahayag ni Mbala.

“I want to publicly thank boss ECJ, the managers, coach Aldin and the rest of the coaching staff, and all my teammates for the incredulous opportunity that have been given during my time there.

“You all have made my time in the Philippines truly worthwhile. I also want to thank the entire La Sallian community and the fans, than you for your never ending support. I know my choice mnight come as a surprise to many and I have to admit, the decision to leave was the toughest I have had to make after being with La Salle for so many years, but I feel that this decision is best for the next stage in my career and development. I am truly grateful for having had the opportunity,” pahayag ni Mbala.

Nakuha ng La Salle si Mbala noong 2012 bilang transferee mula sa Southwestern University at tatlong taong kumain ng ‘residency’ bago pinayagang makapaglaro sa Archers.

Tulad ng inaasahan, pinangunahan niya ang La Salle sa kampeonato noong Season 79, ngunit nabigong mabigyan ng back-to-back ang Archers nang biguan ng Ateneo Blue Eagles sa best-of-three titular duel ngayong season.

Nakopo niya ang Most Valuable Player (MVP) sa magkasunod na taon, sapat para lumikha ng isyu hingil sa pagkjakaroon ng hiwalay na MVP award sa homegrown player at sa foreign import.

Kabilang si rising star Kobe Paras, kasalukuyang naglalaro sa US NCAA at miyembro ng Gilas Pilipinas na nagwagi ng gintong medalya sa 29th SEA Games, sa nagtutulak na magkaroon ng pantay na pagtingin sa local at foreign players pagdating sa individual awards.

“Cleary, foreign players has the edge over the homegrown players,” saad ni Paras.

Iginiit naman ng UAAP management committee na pag-aaralan ang naturang mungkahi.

Sa nakalipas na mga taon, dumadagsa ang foreign-student players sa collegiate league sa bansa.

Sa huling panayam ng Mbala, iginiit niyang sa sports hindi dapat nagkakaroon ng diskriminasyon.

“I’m truly grateful for having had the opportunity to represent the Green Archers and will always be La Sallian at heart.”