Fran Yu playing in the PBA On Tour with NorthPort. –PBA IMAGES

PBA: Fran Yu grateful for NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan for preseason exposure

June 2, 2023 Times Europe

Fran Yu playing in the PBA On Tour with NorthPort. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—On a rare occasion, the PBA has allowed undrafted players to take part in the On Tour preseason which includes one of the top college prospects, Fran Yu.

Yu, a three-time collegiate champion with Letran, is currently suiting up for Northport in the preseason under long-time mentor, Bonnie Tan.

His stint with the Batang Pier is something to be thankful for, especially with his former coach leading the way.

“I’m happy and thankful for coach Bonnie because he gave me a chance to play. I’m already facing the PBA’s lineup, it gives me readiness for the pros, especially since I’m declaring for the draft,” the guard said in Filipino during the Collegiate Press Corps awards night at Quezon City on Monday.

“It’s a big thing, especially since we’ve been together for a long time. He knows my way of play, how to use me and I also know his system.”

Tan has mentored Yu since 2019. Their tandem won three straight championships for the Knights.

The following season of the NCAA, however, will see the dawn of a new era in Letran, with Yu moving onto the professional level.

Tan, meanwhile, will stick with Northport full-time to replace Pido Jarencio, who made the move to University of Santo Tomas a few months ago.

Whether he gets selected by Northport or another team, Yu vowed to keep playing the way he has been for the past years and repay the trust that would be given to him in the big leagues.

“For me, I don’t mind if I [get drafted] to Northport or any team, as long as I give my best. As long as I repay the trust that the team gave me, I’ll be happy.”