Ola Adeogun (left) defends against Ateneo center Greg Slaughter
MANILA, Philippines—The Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Preseason Cup is normally a chance for teams to prepare for the coming varsity season. So it was not a surprise that people would wonder why new San Beda coach Ronnie Magsanoc continues to give heavy minutes to two players suspended by the NCAA for the entire coming season.
Well, Magsanoc said he is still holding out hope that Ola Adeogun and Julius Armon can suit up for the Red Lions.
“Their suspensions are not final yet,” said Magsanoc. “We’re including them in our preparations so that if the San Beda appeal is granted, they will be ready.”
Adeogun, for one, has a pending request for the Commission on Human Rights to look into the brawl between San Beda basketball players and the San Sebastian volleyball team so the decision to suspend him for a full season can be reversed.
Adeogun, a Nigerian, said in his affidavit to the CHR which was obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer that an “unprovoked racial slur uttered against [him]” sparked the melee, something he said the NCAA Management Committee failed to take into account when it handed out the suspensions.
Adeogun and Armon were slapped one-year bans while former San Beda coach Frankie Lim and San Sebastian volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb were slapped with two-year suspensions by the ManComm. Lim later resigned as San Beda coach.
Magsanoc said he is hoping that the suspensions will either be rescinded or reduced so the two can join the Lions. Adeogun and Armon have been playing key roles for undefeated San Beda, which currently sports a 3-0 record at the preseason event. The 46-year-old coach said that the Red Lions have to cope as it is with the graduation of key players and losing both Adeogun and Armon will make it tougher for the school to defend its title.
“For the first time, San Beda is not the favorite,” said Magsanoc.
After struggling past Letran and Perpetual Help, San Beda came back from double-digit deficits to stun UAAP champion and tournament favorite Ateneo.