Red Lion suspended for rough play

The NCAA Management Committee suspended San Beda’s Riego Gamalinda for misconduct in the Red Lions’ 73-64 victory over the Philippine Christian U Dolphins last week.

It was the Mendiola-based school’s 10th straight win and 11th overall in 12 games as it moved closer to clinching the No. 1 spot in the Final Four for the twice-to-beat advantage.

The Lions will try to sustain their hot streak without Gamalinda as they take on the Mapua Cardinals in tomorrow’s resumption of the 82nd NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

"Gamalinda was suspended for his unsportsmanlike foul against Lei Navarro of PCU," said NCAA commissioner Jun Bernardino.

Experts, however, believe that Gamalinda’s absence would hardly affect San Beda’s bid against Mapua owing to its deep bench, spearheaded by the hulking Nigerian Samuel Ekwe.

Bernardino said they also suspended Navarro but the PCU guard has already served out the suspension in the Dolphins’ 59-48 win over the Letran Knights Friday. — Joey Villar