Colegio de San Juan de Letran has let go of Rhenz Abando a few hours after he signed with Korean Basketball League team Anyang Korean Ginseng Corporation on Thursday.
Though the 24-year-old Abando only played one full season with the Knights, the Colegio expressed its utmost gratitude for his service to them.
“Colegio de San Juan de Letran would like to formally confirm the report that Mr. Rhenz Joseph Abando shall be leaving the fold of our Basketball Team, in order to seek growth and greener pastures elsewhere,” read the school’s statement.
“As always, Letran is most grateful to MR. ABANDO for playing well for the team, for winning both the Rookie of the year and Most Valuable Player awards, for helping us keep the senior basketball championship in the 97th Season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).”
Abando was able to find refuge in Letran back in August of 2020 after leaving University of Santo Tomas when the latter experienced an exodus due to an alleged bubble training held in Sorsogon.
Though many UAAP member schools wanted to get the commitment of Abando, he decided to move to the NCAA as he did not want to face UST.
The wait of Letran on Abando was worth it as in NCAA Season 97, he led the school to its 19th seniors crown and its first back-to-back since the late 80s.
For his part, Abando won Most Valuable Player honors with averages of 15.73 points, 6.36 rebounds, 1.73 assists, and 1.27 blocks per contest. He also became the first Knight since Raymond Almazan to be part of the Gilas program.
“We remain committed to our vocation of forming our students and athletes according to the ideals of DEUS, PATRIA, LETRAN, which we confidently bequeathed to MR. ABANDO,” the statement continued.
“Once a Letranite, Always a Letranite! We pray for Mr. Abando, and wish hirn well.”
With Abando gone, the road to a three-peat has become tougher for the Knights.
But the school is committed to completing the hattrick.
“To the Letran community, to our friends and supporters, we shall continue with our campaign, to prepare our team well for the incoming NCAA season, to always give our best, in sports and in life,” it said.
“On this, the 59th anniversary of the heroism of our Letran scouts, who perished in a plane crash en route to the World Jamboree in 1963, we call on all Letranites to rise to the occasion, to defend the crown, to bring honor to our Alma Mater,” it furthered.
“Siernpre Arriba! Siempre Letran!”
