San Beda rules out Koga for NCAA Final Four

Ryusei Koga of San Beda INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A night after the NCAA Management Committee has decided to “defer” its investigation on San Beda player Ryusei Koga, the defending champion Red Lions have resolved not to field in the guard in the Final Four.

“In view of the decision of the NCAA to defer its investigation on the alleged violation of league rules by player Ryusei Koga,” San Beda team manager Jude Roque said in a statement Wednesday night.

“And while such deferment is pending, San Beda College has decided not to play Mr. Koga in the Final Four.”

The five-foot-10 Koga, a reliable guard off-the-bench, is under fire for allegedly playing in a different league while the NCAA is still in play.

San Beda, which kept its top seeding, hopes to play through the controversy and get back into the championship round anew when it tangles with skidding Perpetual Help in the semifinal round Thursday at 2:30 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena after no.2 Letran faces off with rookie-laden San Sebastian in the other Final Four duel pegged at 12:30pm.

Both seniors games will be aired live on TV5.