The Cebu Landmasters-Bogo City team turned to a familiar face as their head coach for the upcoming Countrywide Basketball League (CWBL).
Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez confirmed their choice of Jun Tan as head coach to Cebu Daily News.
The mayor said he and Tan met yesterday morning to work out some details on his appointment.
Martinez said the head coaching position was a toss-up between Tan and another veteran coach Jun Noel.
But with the Landmasters pressed for time in preparing for the CWBL opening in March, Martinez said Tan was their choice.
“Jun (Noel) still has an obligation to the University of San Jose-Recoletos and the process of clearing it up with his superiors would still take time. And time is something that is not on our side. Some teams have already formed their teams and we haven’t even started. So I’m recommending Jun Tan to Joe (Soberano),” Martinez said.
Tan’s previous working relationship with Soberano also played a huge factor in the decision.
Tan previously coached Soberano’s Cebu Landmasters-Mandaue City to several titles in the defunct Liga Pilipinas several years ago.
Martinez said Tan asked for Hermes Sumalinog to be his assistant coach.
Armand Colina, another promising local coach, is also being considered for Tan’s staff.
Tan said he is both nervous and excited at the same time with the new task at hand.
“That’s why I asked Mayor (Martinez) that we have a tryout as soon as possible since I don’t follow collegiate players. We may find some prospects there,” Tan said.
Though details have yet to be ironed out, the Cebu Landmasters are expected to have their tryouts this weekend.