FORMER PBA star Ronnie Magsanoc is taking over as coach of NCAA champion San Beda, replacing Frankie Lim.
The appointment of Magsanoc, a veteran of 15 PBA seasons and currently an assistant coach of the Meralco Bolts, comes a few days after Lim stepped down as coach of the Red Lions after five seasons.
Magsanoc called his appointment a “privilege,” having played high school ball at San Beda.
“I am thankful for the privilege to mentor the Red Lions,” said Magsanoc, who takes over a program that has ruled the last two seasons of the league and five of the last six.
“I likewise acknowledge the winning programs of coach Koy Banal and coach Frankie Lim dating back to 2006.”
Lim stepped down in the wake of the two-year suspension slapped on him and on San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb by the NCAA for their role in a brawl on the sidelines of an NCAA women’s volleyball match.
The incident started when Ola Adeogun, the Lions’ center, felt that members of the San Sebastian men’s volleyball team shouted racial slurs at him while the players were doing warmups outside the gym.
The volleyball players said they were just doing routine chants, but the confrontation spilled over into the gym, triggering the fight.
Magsanoc, named one of the top 25 greatest players of the professional league, said he looks forward to sustaining the winning tradition of the Red Lions.
“It’s like going full circle for me after studying in San Beda and playing for the Red Cubs and now going back to serve the school,” said Magsanoc.