AFTER steering Letran to three titles in four years, Bonnie Tan officially parted ways with the Knights yesterday to focus on his job as NorthPort coach in the pro league.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities that Letran has afforded me,” Tan said. “I’m deeply appreciative of how the community has welcomed me since I came on board.
“Being considered as an honorary Letranite will always be one of the biggest achievements I could ever receive,” added Tan, whose alma mater is University of Santo Tomas.
His assistant, Rensy Bajar, is set to take over at the helm of the reigning three-time champion Knights.
Tan has been officially named as head coach of the Batang Pier in the PBA after serving on an interim basis in the last Governors’ Cup.
Tan replaced Jeff Napa in 2019, the same year when Petron became the main backer of Letran’s basketball program.
In Tan’s first year with the team, the Knights dethroned San Beda University in three grueling games.
He also steered Letran to a perfect 12-0 sweep in the 97th season against Mapua University and overcame tough odds against College of St. Benilde to complete a three-peat last year.
Tan amassed a 44-13 record in his time in Intramuros, an impressive 77-percent winning rate. He also bagged three NCAA Coach of the Year plums.
In the process, he was able to help a number of Knights reach the pro league, among them Jerrick Balanza, Larry Muyang, Bonbon Batiller, Jeo Ambohot, Ato Ular, and Allen Mina, as well as Rookie-MVP Rhenz Abando, who is now in Korea.
“As I close this chapter, I cherish all of those who believed in what we could do for the Knights, from boss Ramon S. Ang and sports director Alfrancis Chua of San Miguel Corp. to Letran Rector Fr. Clarence Victor C. Marquez, OP, Vice President for Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. Cristina M. Castro-Cabral, Ph.D, and athletic director Fr. Victor Calvo, OP,” Tan said.
