NORTHPORT coach Bonnie Tan said he is not surprised upon learning that his former player, Rhenz Abando, won his first professional basketball championship with Anyang KGC in the 2023 East Asia Super League Champions Week last Sunday.

Abando averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in the weeklong tournament for Anyang, which beat fellow Korean squad Seoul SK Knights in the finals.

'Rhenz Abando has always been very consistent and a great asset to the Letran team back then,' Tan told The Manila Times.

'Seeing his stellar performance last weekend during the Anyang KGC is a testament to his hard work in getting the East Asia Super League Champions Week title against Seoul SK Knights. I'm really proud of his growth,' he added.

The 24-year-old Abando played a huge role in Anyang's two-game sweep in the group stage, firing 22 points, spiked by three triples, for KGC in a 141-87 victory over reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer.

Abando, who won an NCAA title and Most Valuable Player award under Tan before turning pro in Korea, has also been a key contributor for Anyang in his first season in the Korean Basketball League.

Anyang currently leads the KBL's 2022-23 season with its 34-11 record. The team is out to capture the Korea cage crown after bowing to Seoul SK 4-1 in the finals last season.

The high-leaping Abando also won the Slam Dunk contest last January during the KBL All-Star Week.