Franz confident he’d be cleared

Franz Pumaren, who quit as head coach of De La Salle basketball team early in the week, said his resignation was not an acceptance of culpability in the raging UAAP eligibility scandal but was made out of delicadeza and at the same time to give the school administration a free hand to institute reforms on its sports program.

"Though I am neither obliged nor has been asked by any official of the university to make this move, I do so with only the welfare of the institution in mind," said Pumaren in his resignation letter to La Salle president Bro. Armin Luistro dated Nov. 8.

While his decision is expected to draw varied reactions from all sectors, Pumaren, who with the Archers left for Hawaii Tuesday for a series of goodwill games, believed he would be cleared of any wrongdoing in the end and would be able to return to the La Salle bench once again.

"Even if it is inevitable that this action may be misinterpreted and maliciously perceived as an acceptance of culpability, I am at peace with the truth that my only motivation is to preserve the very program that I have worked so hard to build over these past eight years," said Pumaren, who steered the Archers to five UAAP championships.

But he stressed his decision to quit had nothing to do with the clamor from the La Salle community and alumni who have reportedly called for his resignation for the ineligibility mess that rocked the institution.

"Though my name has never been mentioned by anyone or at anytime during the investigation, my detractors have nevertheless used this unfortunate incident to continue to malign my good name and reputation with baseless and unjustifiable accusations," he said. "This courtesy resignation is not intended to prove them right but rather to do what is best for the institution."

Pumaren has been dragged into the eligibility mess involving two of his players — Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian, who entered the school with spurious documents.

In a statement, Luistro accepted Pumaren’s resignation as well as those of team manager Terry Capistrano, Bro. Bobby Casingal, La Salle sports development director, Danny Jose, sports development director for internal affairs, and university registrar Edwin Santiago. He said this will give the University a free hand to embark on a thorough and comprehensive review of its sports program.

"The entire Lasallian community is highly-appreciative of their selfless acts," said Luistro.

Meanwhile, the Archers hurdled Huaqiao team of China, 95-77, to atone for their sorry one-point loss to New Zealand in the Asia Pacific Basketball Classic in Hawaii. Pocholo Villanueva led the team with 21 points, while Ryan Arana, Joseph Casio, Paul Rico Maierhofer and Kish Gover Co had 17, 13, 9 and 8 points, respectively.

Tyrone Tang failed to suit up against the Chinese after sustaining an injury in their game against the Kiwis.