San Beda loses two key cogs, gains new recruits

San Beda Red Lions’ Tony Ynot. –NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—San Beda will be without a pair of key cogs for the next NCAA season.

Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez have left the Red Lions, expressing their intent to turn pro and play in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), according to coach Yuri Escueta.

“Both players want to play for the MPBL. As student-athletes, our program doesn’t allow players to play in professional leagues and encourages them to go to school and comply with NCAA eligibility,” Escueta told INQUIRER.net.

“But we wish both all the best. We had good conversations with them.”

Ynot was vital in San Beda’s campaign last season after averaging 9.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He also set a career-high 25 points against Emilio Aguinaldo College in October.

Sanchez, meanwhile, normed 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Red Lions.

San Beda, however, gained the services of University of Santo Tomas’ Richi Calimag and Far Eastern University’s Joe Celzo.

Calimag joined his brother RC, the former University of the Philippines guard, at San Beda. RC transferred to the Red Lions last month.

“Very pleased with the brothers transferring to San Beda. Both came from Beda in grade school and both decided they want to play for their father’s (Ricky Calimag) alma mater,” said Escueta.

Richi averaged 3.46 points and 2.92 rebounds in his lone season with UST in Season 85 while the 6-foot-5 Celzo was barely used by FEU.

San Beda’s new recruits will serve a one-year residency before being eligible to suit up for the Red Lions in Season 100.