DE La Salle proved too big, too strong for Arellano as the Green Archers put away an 86-74 victory on Sunday afternoon to complete a perfect run to the 2016 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup championship.
Mbala lived up to his billing as the tournament MVP, finishing with 28 points, 26 rebounds, and eight blocks as the Green Archers won their first title under new coach Aldin Ayo with a sweep of all their 10 games.
The Green Archers won their fourth title in the preseason tournament, and second in three seasons, as they established themselves as the top favorites in the coming UAAP season.
La Salle became just the second team since the Ray Parks-led National University squad (12-0) in 2012 to sweep the entire tournament.
Mbala, who was earlier named tournament MVP, led a 15-3 run in the fourth quarter that enabled the Green Archers to take control of the game, 76-61.
The 6-7 Cameroonian also brought La Salle back into the game after the Chiefs tried to break away early, 38-28.
Jio Jalalon led the way for Arellano with 32 points, including six three-pointers in the first quarter that enabled the Chiefs to take an early 26-21 lead.
Despite the defeat, the Chiefs also stamped their class as one of the top contenders in NCAA Season 92 which opens two weeks from now.
Abu Tratter had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Green Archers. Jeron Teng, playing major minutes after spraining his left ankle in the quarterfinal match against Far Eastern University, also added 13 points.
The scores:
DLSU (86) — Mbala 28, Tratter 13, Teng 13, Torres 9, Caracut 7, Montalbo 5, Melecio 5, Go 4, Gob 2, Dyke 0, Langston 0.
Arellano (74) — Jalalon 32, Salado 16, Flores 6, Gumaru 5, Enriquez 4, Canete 3, Nicholls 3, Cadavis 2, Meca 2, Aguilar 2, Holts 0, Villoria 0, Ongolo Ongolo 0, Gupilan 0.
Quarters: 21-26, 40-42, 61-58, 86-74.
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