Menor decides to play in PBL, leaves Lions

MANILA, Philippines - Ogie Menor, a vital cog in San Beda’s three straight title romps in the NCAA, will no longer suit up with the Red Lions in his fifth and final year with the Mendiola-based squad.

San Beda rector Fr. Mat de Jesus, OSB, yesterday said Menor has decided to pursue his stint with the PBL rather than join the Lions in their training and preparations for the coming NCAA season.

“It’s definite and final, Ogie (Menor) is not coming back,” de Jesus told The STAR.

De Jesus said the San Beda community had tried to convince Menor to reconsider his earlier decision to skip his fifth and last year of eligibility. But the 2007 Finals MVP stood pat on his earlier decision to try his luck in the PBL.

The Lions want Menor to join the team training this month, including a trip to the US in April.

But Menor wanted to see action in the PBL’s opening conference early next month before he could rejoin the Lions in May or June.

San Beda, however, said no.

“He (Menor) was still hoping to have his way at the PBL and come back to the team in May or June,” said de Jesus. “No way, said the coaches.”

“But until the last moment, they tried to talk sense out of him,” he said.

Menor’s absence will told heavily on San Beda’s bid for a fourth straight crown as the Lions already lost Nigerian behemoth Sam Ekwe, a two-time league MVP, and starting guard Pong Escobal to graduation.

De Jesus, however, said it could be a blessing in disguise.

“We’ll move on and we hope to use this as a challenge to the team,” said de Jesus. – Joey Villar