FILE–Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang. –INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—After the game-fixing allegations against him came to light on the weekend, Ian Sangalang said he would be filing a case against Singaporean businessman Koa Wei Quan.
In documents presented to a Singapore court as reported by The Straits Times, it was alleged that Koa had bribed Sangalang to alter the outcome of Game 5 of the 2018 All-Filipino Cup Finals between Magnolia and San Miguel, which the Beermen won, 108-99.
Sangalang denied any involvement with the matter when he talked with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, days after the Straits Times report came out.
“I don’t know that person. That wasn’t true,” the Hotshots big man said on the PBA website.
“I will not give up my career and honor for that kind of thing.”
Marcial said the league will investigate the involvement of its players in the alleged game-fixing scheme perpetrated by Koa.
Other than Sangalang, court documents also showed that Koa worked with former PBA player Leo Avenido, a certain Sergei Bien Orillo, and even Almond Vosotros, who is set to compete in the 3×3 men’s basketball event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
Like Sangalang, Vosotros is also leaning towards filing a case against Koa while denying any involvement with the debacle.
The PBA is currently investigating the matter.