Magnolia big man Ian Sangalang has been summoned by the Philippine Basketball Association on Monday regarding his alleged participation in a ‘game-fixing’ scandal orchestrated by a Singapore businessman.
Sangalang denied any involvement in an alleged game-fixing incident which transpired during Game 5 of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup finals, and has vowed to take legal action against the Singaporean businessman who implicated him.
Koa Wei Quan, the Singaporean businessman who namedropped Sangalang, is currently facing 14 graft charges in the State Courts in Singapore for allegedly influencing games played in the PBA and the Thailand Basketball Super League between April and July 2018.
According to a report from Singapore-based newspaper The Straits Times, Koa allegedly offered Sangalang a bribe of $5,000 to influence the outcome of Game 5 of the all-Filipino title series between Magnolia and San Miguel.
The odds of the game was plus-9 in favor of the Beermen. The final score was 108-99 with Sangalang putting up 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists against eight turnovers in 49 minutes.
However, Sangalang has denied ever knowing Koa. He also insisted that the accusations are untrue.
“Hindi ko kilala yung tao na yun, hindi totoo yun,” the 10-year veteran told Commissioner Willie Marcial after the two talked on Monday.
“Hindi ko ipagpapalit ang career at dangal ko sa ganung bagay,” added the veteran center, who also mentioned the possibility of taking legal action against Koa.
Court documents revealed that Koa worked with two Filipinos in fixing the outcome not only of the Philippine Cup finals, but also games involving Blackwater and Columbian, and Blackwater against Phoenix.
It remains unclear whether any of the alleged bribes were accepted by the parties involved.
The PBA has vowed to continue investigating the matter.
