Finding the right chemistry and the right players will be a challenge which new Adamson University Falcons coach Franz Pumaren will face comes the 79th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
“They look at me as a chemist who will look for the right concoction to form a winning team. That made it easier to get the job,” said Pumaren after he was formally introduced as the new Adamson Falcons coach by school officials led by University president Fr. Greg Banaga and athletic director Fr. Aldrin Suan at the school’s campus in San Marcelino, Manila.
He later met with members of the varsity team.
Pumaren, who took over the post left by Mike Fermin, will officially coach the Falcons starting January next year. Fermin, however, will stay on as one of his assistant coaches, along with Tonichi Yturri and Jack Santiago, and his former players from La Salle Ren Ren Ritualo and Don Allado.
Pumaren used to coach the De La Salle Green Archers from 1998 to 2009, and led the team to five men’s basketball championships, including a four-peat from 1998 to 2001.
His entry into the Falcons was made possible with the help of one of the team’s sponsors, Akari Lighting, through their representative Russell Balbacal.
Banaga said the school is not expecting much from Pumaren when he handles the team in its first season, but said that their new coach has the school’s full trust and confidence.
“We don’t expect instant transformation in the team. I don’t expect the Soaring Falcons to land a championship in one year’s time. If it happens, its really a miracle. But we are optimistic that he (Pumaren) and his coaching staff will build us up to become a highly competitive team,” Banaga said.
Pumaren will initially handle the Falcons for three years, but Banaga is hopeful that he would be able stay for a longer period of time.
Pumaren is the second coach from the De La Salle Green Archers since the time of Luigi Trillo.
The previous times that Adamson made the Final Four was in 2006, 2010 and 2011.