Koga case unresolved; Lions keep top seeding

SAN BEDA will keep its top seeding in the Final Four of the 89th NCAA basketball tournament.

Despite its impact on the championship picture, the NCAA last night decided to defer its investigation on reports that Lions guard Ryusei Koga allegedly played in another league in the middle of the season.

The league said it wants teams to focus on the Final Four, which pits San Beda against Perpetual Help and Letran versus San Sebastian.

But the league pointed out that it will not hesitate to reopen the case should new evidence on the alleged offense committed by Koga surfaces.

Interestingly, it wasn’t just Koga who was being probed for the same offense but also Jeremiah Taladua of Lyceum.

“To allow the teams to focus on the impending semifinals and finals, the NCAA has decided to defer the ongoing investigation into players Ryusei Koga of SBC and Jeremiah Taladua of LPU without prejudice to its reopening should new evidence surface,” the league said in a statement last night.

Meanwhile, the Final Four teams are left to scramble with their buildup in the most crucial stretch of the 89th season.

“It’s hard because there was no clear picture for all the teams,” said San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

“The preparations have not been ideal but we will be ready for whichever team we play,” said Knights deputy coach Gerard Francisco.

San Beda team manager Jude Roque said the Lions are ready for any eventuality.

“Visibly, he (Koga) is not in top shape, but the positive thing is that other players have stepped up,” added Roque.