By: Jerod Orcullo
The revered coach Bonnie Tan, who led Letran to its historic 3-Peat title vouches lifelong support to the Knights despite leaving. Image courtesy of Eduardo Nollora Jr. of The LANCE.
“I’ll be here with Letran katulad nung sinabi ni Father Rector. Kung anong pwedeng itulong, tutulong tayo.”
AFTER leading the Letran Knights to a three-peat through NCAA Seasons 95, 97, and 98, three-time Defending Champion coach Bonnie Tan officially leaves the Intramuros-based squad.
Tan bared that the reason behind his exit is to shift his focus on his stint as the head coach of PBA team NorthPort Batang Pier, as the team needs some serious rebuilding.
“I have to rebuild with NorthPort, pero I’ll be visible sa lahat ng events, and (some) games,” the three-time NCAA Coach of the year added.
However, Tan bared that he can still serve as the team’s adviser whenever needed.
“Sabi ng Letran, they want me to stay para ma-monitor yung coaches, to guide the coaches and players syempre, para yung program, para tuloy-tuloy,” the soft-spoken mentor added.
Coach Rensy Bajar, formerly Knights’ assistant mentor, is set to spearhead the team in hopes of their fourth consecutive championship, and Tan puts his full trust in the former San Beda hooper.
“He’s been with us for the past three-peat champion na’tin so I’m confident that he can continue yung program na’tin, what we started.”
“Rest assured that with coach Rensy as our head coach we will continue what we started nung 2019, yung first win natin sa championship."
“Kakayanin yan, ‘yung four-peat natin this coming season,” he ended.