At The Buzzer podcast

[PODCAST] At the Buzzer: Ben Mbala speaks his truth

Naveen Ganglani

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[PODCAST] At the Buzzer: Ben Mbala speaks his truth
Former La Salle star Ben Mbala goes on record discussing some of the controversial and memorable moments of his UAAP career

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“Did you feel that there were times there was racism against you also while you were in the Philippines?”

This was one of the personal questions asked by host Naveen Ganglani to former UAAP league MVP Ben Mbala on the latest episode of At the Buzzer, a Rappler Sports podcast. 

In an hour-long conversation, Mbala, who played for the La Salle Green Archers from 2016-2017, opens up about the most intriguing topics that followed him in his nearly one-decade journey in the Philippines, which was filled with countless headlines.

Now playing professional basketball in France, Mbala was open about what led to his suspension from the Green Archers in 2015 and how the repercussions of his actions led to a bout against depression. 

Mbala wasn’t shy to note he had to mentally get himself in better shape before becoming the MVP caliber student-athlete who led La Salle to a UAAP title and finals appearance in consecutive seasons.

Speaking of those campaigns, Mbala goes behind-the-scenes with memorable encounters and anecdotes as La Salle claimed the UAAP throne and then attempted to defend it against their rival Ateneo. 

Mbala also goes in-depth on his relationship with the late Danding Cojuangco, before being honest about questions on Aldin Ayo, Jeron Teng, and Ricci Rivero. (READ: How an Mbala-Ayo scuffle nearly prevented a La Salle title)

The former La Salle stalwart was likewise blunt on his feelings about the unjust treatment of foreign student-athletes in the Philippines, and how that kind of mindset, in fact, limits the country from excelling in basketball at the global level. 

Here is an excerpt from the podcast:

Naveen: After that game, it wasn’t like you had all this time to just recover and mentally relax and let go, because you had to make a decision about your future – were you going to try and see if you can play one more year in the UAAP, or were you going to go pro? When did you finally decide and what helped you realize that it’s time to move on to the next stage?

Ben: The speculation. For me if they were already able to make me sit out 3 years… I was like, “Man, things never go my way” when it was time. They were talking about a vote, talking about discussing it with the board.

I was like, “things never went my way,” so, why now? – Rappler

Check out our previous episodes:

Episode 1: On Manny Pacquiao and Jose Rizal 

Episode 2: What does it take to become a UAAP parent?

Episode 3: Gretchen Ho on spiking and shifting gears

Episode 4: A La Salle lookback with Mike Cortez

Episode 5: PBA restart prepping with Gabe Norwood

Episode 6: Real talk with Boom Gonzalez

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