Rookie-laden Warriors to rely on defense, speed

When he accepted the coaching job for the UE Warriors last summer, Dindo Pumaren knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

Still, the former PBA superstar took everything as a challenge, trying to motivate and hone a rookie-laden lineup the last few weeks into the 67th UAAP season that begins this weekend at the Araneta Coliseum.

Pumaren, a former La Salle Green Archer and one of the finest point guards ever to grace the PBA, admitted that the Warriors, who lost most of their key players after the 2003 season, won’t be as competitive, as fearsome as their monicker would suggest.

"We’re not that tall anymore and not as talented. So don’t expect too much from us," he said candidly, during a recent UAAP coaches meeting at the La Salle compound.

James Yap and Paul Artadi, who formed one of the most exciting duos in UAAP history, have moved over to the PBA. Others who have graduated after spending so much time with UE and the UAAP are Ollan Omiping, Jay Arr Estrada, Arnold Booker and Jason Alminario.

Left to carry the heavy load are veterans Paolo Hubalde, RJ Masbang and Niño Canaleta.

But despite the drawback, Pumaren isn’t going to war unprepared.

He will bring with him in the UAAP the rare privilege of undergoing a month-long coaching seminar in the US late last year–18 days with the San Antonio Spurs and more in Dallas and California where he hooked up with collegiate teams for more coaching modules.

"I just hope that my players don’t get intimidated in our opening game," said Pumaren as he looked forward to Saturday’s game against no less than defending champion Far Eastern University.

"Kung dati bakbakan ang UE vs FEU, ito bugbugan. Sana naman huwag masyado," added Pumaren.

Seriously, Pumaren is counting on defense and a sleek running game as his team’s biggest weapon. Nothing else.

"Defense could be our only asset. Or our running game because I can see myself in these players when they run. We’ll just try to play the spoiler’s role. Yung pwede mag-pahirap sa ibang teams," he said.

Pumaren is also counting on the fact that Derrick, the eldest of the playing Pumaren siblings and a champion coach in the PBA, will be by his side if and when needed.

"He’s my consultant with UE now," he said.

Derrick, who also coached La Salle, was a regular fixture behind the Green Archers’ bench the last couple of years for the other Pumaren–Franz (the four-time champion coach).

"Manong (Derrick) will be with me because we feel that Franz can make it on his own. Sa akin tutulong si Manong ngayon," added Pumaren.

That alone could spell some difference for UE this year.