LETRAN will enter a new era in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament as coach Bonnie Tan has bid the Knights goodbye.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities that Letran has afforded me. I’m deeply appreciative of how the community has welcomed me since I came on board and being considered as an honorary Letranite will always be one of the biggest achievements I could ever receive,” Tan said in a statement yesterday.

During his tenure that started in 2019, Tan steered the Knights to a three-peat to solidify their hold as the league’s second winningest squad with 20 titles.

Tan is pivoting his attention to NorthPort where he was officially named as the head coach after serving in an interim capacity in the recently-concluded PBA Governors’ Cup.

Deputy coach Rensy Bajar, with Tan giving his stamp of approval to his longtime assistant, will now man the sidelines for Letran.

Bajar will be formally introduced as the Knights head coach this afternoon, as Letran will also unveil its new major sponsor for Season 99.

“Coach Rensy has been with us during the three-peat era and I’m confident that he can sustain the winning culture that we have built with the Knights,” Tan said.

Letran will still have a formidable team this coming NCAA Season 99, with Kurt Reyson, Paolo Javillonar, and Kobe Monje all expected to pick up the cudgels in the Knights’ quest to extend the dynasty.

Replacing Jeff Napa in 2019, Tan came in at the same time when Petron took over as the main backer for the Letran men’s basketball program.

In his first year, the Muralla-based squad got itself back on after toppling erstwhile undefeated San Beda to rule Season 95.

The Knights made history to win two NCAA championships in one year in 2022, garnering a perfect 12-0 sweep in Season 97 last May before the team overcame doubts six months later to complete the three-peat in Season 98.

Tan has amassed a 44-13 win-loss record in his time in Letran, and bagged three NCAA Coach of the Year awards.

In the process, Tan was able to help a number of Knights progress to the pro ranks, among them Jerrick Balanza, Larry Muyang, Bonbon Batiller, Jeo Ambohot, Ato Ular, and Allen Mina who are now in the PBA, as well as NCAA Season 97 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.