Ms. Olen Lim Denies Coach Frankie's Resignation; SBC To Give Official Statement Soon

With his resignation said to be imminent, multi-titled San Beda coach Frankie Lim gave an emotional speech to his players during their practice on Tuesday, leading his son and a guard on the team, Melo Lim, to tweet that it was the "worst day of my life."

This writer reported earlier that Coach Lim had already resigned from his position as head coach, which led Coach Lim's wife, Olen Lim, to issue a denial on her Facebook account, saying, "We have NOT tendered any resignation to the school.

"Coach Frankie has spoken to his players on the most likely situation and has only expressed his gratitude, love and appreciation for his players and asst coaches. It will be very unprofessional and irresponsible to come out with this news without giving the school first notice and without confirmation from our end. If there will be announcements it will come on our terms and our time. We thank you all for the love and support."

While Lim has not tendered a resignation, a source close to the team told GMA News Online that the school will be making an announcement on Lim's status as coach within the week. A second source confirmed to GMA News that Lim will be meeting tomorrow with Manuel V. Pangilinan, San Beda Red Lions basketball patron, before any announcement is made.

The move comes presumably after the school was unable to appeal the coach’s two-year ban from the NCAA, a sanction stemming from the coach’s involvement in a brawl with San Sebastian College-Recoletos volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb, which also drew in members of the Red Lions basketball squad and injured a female San Sebastian player.

Lim was brought on to replace Koy Banal after the 2006-07 season, and he proved to be an adept mentor for the team, steering them to NCAA titles in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.

The two-year ban would have prevented Lim from prowling the sidelines during games, but the school had earlier considered the possibility of one of Lim’s assistants taking charge during the NCAA season, with Lim in a quasi-advisory capacity.

The ban also would have had no effect in other tournaments, which would have allowed Lim to take the wheel during the upcoming FilOil Flying V Preseason Tournament, the Father Martin Cup, and the post-season Philippine Collegiate Champions League.

Should Lim's resignation push through, the team will be forced to start anew, with three months to go before the NCAA season kicks off and the team attempts a three-peat.

"Definitely the saddest and worst practice of my life!" tweeted San Beda forward Rome De La Rosa. "Wish I could have ended my college career with Coach FL."

source: GMA News Online