Banal also loses Red Lions in PBL

With coach Koy Banal and the Red Lions going separate ways, also gone was the partnership between Magnolia Ice Cream and San Beda in the PBL.

Nigerian behemoth Sam Ekwe, Yousif Aljamal, Pong Escobal and Riego Gamalinda are no longer practicing with the team, and Banal said they will have to make do with what’s left in his lineup as the new PBL season starts March 24.

"We’ll just have to maximize what we have right now," said Banal who has relinquished his coaching job at San Beda to fellow former Lion Frankie Lim.

Left at his disposal at Magnolia are Bon Bon Custodio, Toti Almeda, Jonas Villanueva, Jeff Chan, Alex Angeles, Jeff Bombeo, James Hudencial, Gerard Jones, Rafael Natividad and ex-pro Neil Raneses.

The departure of Ekwe and Aljamal should create a big hole in the middle for the team.

The 6-foot-8 Ekwe, the 2006 NCAA rookie-MVP winner, and Aljamal, the 2006 NCAA Finals MVP, used to play key roles, providing the Spinners intimidating inside presence.

"We’ll miss them but life must go on," said Banal. "We’ll try to plug those holes through the rookie and dispersal draft next month. Maybe we’ll get some big men there."

Banal lost his job at San Beda because of differences on principles with school officials.

San Beda team manager Mukesh Advani, who will assist Lim, said they wanted a coach "who will be there for their young players full-time."

Banal, however, is under contract with San Miguel Corp. as coach of Magnolia in the PBL and assistant at Purefoods in the PBA.

Fr. Paul de Vera, OSB, senior representative of San Beda to the NCAA board, said the school has formed a five-man search committee who will find the right coach. He didn’t name the members of the group.

Reports have it though that Lim would end up getting the assignment, coaching the team he helped win back-to-back NCAA championships in 1977 and 1978.

Lim calls the shots for the Lions as they take on the Santo Tomas Tigers, the reigning UAAP champions, in an exhibition game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium today.

"I’m excited," said Lim, who played for Tanduay Rhum, Great Taste, Alaska Milk, Shell, Purefoods and San Miguel in the pros.