BONNIE Tan is shying away from the coaching limelight once the transition of NorthPort to Pureblends is finally completed.
Tan shot down previous rumors that he would call the shots for Pureblends. Nor did he accept any managerial position in the incoming new PBA franchise after Johnedel Cardel was named head coach, he added.
"I am excited for NorthPort as it begins this new phase under new leadership and new management," he said in a statement sent to SPIN.ph.
READ Johnedel Cardel returns to steer ship for Pureblends
"That said, I am personally stepping away from any coaching duties due to personal reasons. I am confident the team will continue to thrive under a new leadership."
Tan, who steered NorthPort to a long-overdue semifinal appearance in the Commissioner's Cup last season, said he was also offered the position of Pureblends board governor which he said he likewise turned down.
The man who steered the Letran Knights to three straight championships from 2019-22, added he’s just waiting for the transition of NorthPort to Pureblends before stepping out of the league.
Nonetheless, the University of Santo Tomas alum said he’s grateful for having worked with NorthPort for more than a decade in different capacities from being team manager and as coach during its final season in the league.
“I want to thank the entire NorthPort organization, the management, staff, and fans for their unwavering trust and support throughout my 12 years with the team. I am proud of everything we have achieved together,” he said.
The semifinals stint under Tan incidentally, marked the first ever in franchise history after it ended up as the top seeded team heading to the playoffs, even outranking eventual champion TNT.
Tan said that has been the challenge he posed to the new group coming in led by Pureblends owner Bryann Calantoc, incidentally Tan's former player at the Grace Christian College juniors’ team.
“Challenge ko yan sa new team to surpass it,” said the former Northport coach.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey,” he added.
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