Bong Tan is tipped to take over as head coach of the University of the East men's basketball team in the coming 92nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
School officials are keen on having Lawrence Chongson as assistant coach of Tan and head of basketball operations. The team is trying to regroup after finishing with a 1-13 win-loss record last season, prompting coach Joe Silva to quit.
Star player Alvin Pasaol, content in playing 3×3 ball, won't play out his final year with the Warriors.
Veterans Chris Conner and Philip Manalang are returning for UE, which also boasts of talented rookies John Apacible, Alex Diakhite, Jed Mendoza, Harvey Pagsanjan, Richie Rodger, Rey Suerte and Neil Tolentino.
Veteran players Reymark Acuno, Wilson Bartolome and Jason Varilla have also left the team.
The 6'9" Diakhite, who is from Senegal, is playing out of the Diliman College Blue Dragons team.
Pagsanjan, a Hope Christian High School standout, joins Suerte, a three-time champion and two-time MVP in CESAFI, along with Mendoza, who came from Jose Rizal University.