San Beda’s Cameroonian recruit impresses in PCCL debut

Games Friday

(Ynares Gym, Pasig)

2 p.m. – La Salle vs San Beda

4 p.m. – Arellano vs FEU

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle's Ben Mbala is not the only upcoming rookie making a noise in the Elite Eight of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League. Make way for San Beda's Donald Tankoua.

Tankuoa, a 6-5 Cameroonian like Mbala, debuted in the Lions' 85-75 bashing of University of San Carlos last Saturday in Cebu as a back up to Nigerian starter Ola Adeogun and drew good raves.

"He will be a great addition to the team especially next season when we go for a sixth straight NCAA championship," San Beda manager Jude Roque told The STAR Wednesday, referring to Tankuoa.

Although Mbala and Tankoua didn't play for their respective teams in this year's UAAP and NCAA, the two got to play following a new rule by the PCCL allowing incoming eligible players to see action.

Interestingly, Tankoua and Mbala will get a chance to face each other when the Lions and the Archers collide at 2 p.m. Friday at the resumption of PCCL action at the Ynares Gym in Pasig City.

Arellano University, the NCAA losing finalist which split its two outings in the Cebu leg, faces off with Far Eastern University, the UAAP runner up, in other game at 4 p.m.

San Beda has also paraded incoming rookies Jose Presbitero and Amiel Soberano.

Soberano, a shooting guard from Tarlac State University, contributed five points while Presbiterio, a point guard from Ateneo de Davao, chipped in two points and some solid back court contributions.

To date, La Salle leads the way with a pristine 2-0 (win-loss) record followed by San Beda (1-0) and University of San Carlos (3-1).

National University, the reigning UAAP champion, is tied with Arellano U with a 1-1 slate while University of Visayas has a 2-2 card.

FEU has a 0-1 card but still in contention while Southwestern University, the CESAFI titlist, has been eliminated after dropping all its four outings.

Only the top two teams get to advance in the best-of-three championship starting on Nov. 27 also at the Ynares Gym.

Game Two is set on Dec. 1 while a deciding Game Three, if necessary, is on Dec. 2.