BONNIE Tan is set to take over the Letran men's basketball program once the Knights begin their buildup for the NCAA Season 95 later this year.
Sources close to the situation confirmed that the search committee, led by Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports Development Alfrancis Chua, has decided to tap Tan to fill the role left by Jeff Napa, whose three-year contract expired back in December.
Tan is no stranger to the Knights, where he served as the team manager last season together with Waiyip Chong.
The 44-year-old mentor is also making his return to the coaching ranks after a four-year hiatus, focusing on managerial responsibilities, most recently with NorthPort, and as the tournament director of M-League.
Tan was previously the head coach of Lyceum for 11 years, starting with the Pirates in 2003 and helping the school enter the NCAA in 2011 before stepping down in 2014.
Letran is coming off a promising NCAA Season 94, where the Knights got to the Final Four and finished at third place behind the leadership of Bong Quinto and JP Calvo, now both in the PBA.
Tan is inheriting a solid core led by last season's Rookie of the Year Larry Muyang, frontcourt partners Jeo Ambohot and Christian Fajarito, together with the returning Jerrick Balanza and transferee Jordan Sta. Ana.
Spin.ph sources further bared that Tan tried to get Napa as a team consultant to maintain continuity to the program, but differences between the former head coach and some in the Letran administration ultimately led to these plans falling out.
The Knights are set to start their preparations for the next NCAA season as they will join the 2019 PBA D-League season, set to start on February 14.
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