UAAP: Hot transfer prospect Mbala staying at SWU - report

The hottest transfer prospect, Benoit Mbala of the Southwestern University Cobras, is reportedly staying and not making a move to the UAAP, Sun Star Cebu reported, citing an interview with the school's athletic director Ryan Aznar. 

 

Faced with rumors that the De La Salle University Green Archers are the front-runners to land the Cameroonian amateur, with Ateneo de Manila University and National University also in pursuit, Aznar denied said claims, saying, "“There’s no truth to that report. If they are really interested in Ben, they should talk to the school. But so far nobody came to us regarding that matter." 

 

The possibility exists that a backroom deal is also being cut, but Aznar threatened not to release Mbala in the event of such a move, warning, "We have all of his and Justine Aboude’s documents. Their records and credentials as well as their passports. If they will do it that way, we will not release the record and documents. And that means, they cannot play.

 

"So far, I will repeat, if they are interested in Ben or any of our players they should talk directly to us not through the players or any of those who are close to them,' Aznar reiterated.

 

Mbala, a 6'7" big man, turned heads during the recent Philippine Collegiate Champions League, when his Cobras played four games in Manila against the San Beda College Red Lions, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, and the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. 

 

Under UAAP rules, because Mbala is a transferee from a Philippine college, he would only need to sit out one year, instead of the customary two year residency required for players entering the league from abroad. - AMD, GMA News