Pumaren sees Falcons snaring UAAP crown

MANILA, Philippines – Muti-titled coach Franz Pumaren clearly stated what his ultimate goal for his new team Adamson University is.

“Me and my coaching staff, we don’t run away from challenges. We’ll make sure each year it’s going be competitive and I’m not going to be a hypocrite, we’re here to give Adamson a championship,” said Pumaren.

Wearing a blue-colored shirt for the first time, the five-time UAAP champion with La Salle was formally introduced yesterday as the new man at the helm in a press conference on the Adamson campus.

Pumaren, who led the Archers to a four-peat in 1998-2001 and steered them to a fifth crown in 2007, brought his long-time assistants Tonichi Yturri and Jack Santiago to their new home in San Marcelino. He also absorbed Mike Fermin, who coached AdU to a 3-11 record on an interim capacity in Season 78, and tapped former players Renren Ritualo and Don Allado.

The 51-year-old Pumaren signed up for three years with the intention of turning things around for AdU, which hasn’t won a title again after the 1977 triumph of the team led by legendary Hector Calma.

Pumaren takes over a squad composed of young guns Papi Sarr, JD Tungcab and Jerome Garcia and a slew of new recruits.

“I look at Adamson as like a startup company. We start from where we are now and slowly but surely, we’ll work our way up,” he said.

He was welcomed by AdU president Fr. Gregorio Bañaga, AdU Office for Athletics and Recreation director Fr. Aldrin Suan, VP for finance Fr. Max Rendon, team manager Gilbert Cruz, and officials of top lighting and electrical brand and team supporter Akari led by its sports director Russell Balbacal.

“While we do not expect an instant transformation, we are optimistic that he and the coaching staff will build us back to become a highly competitive team in the coming seasons to live up to the name ‘Soaring Falcons’” said Bañaga.

AdU didn’t have a hard time convincing Pumaren to come on board.

“With the way they presented their plans and the way they made me feel they’re confident I’ll be making progress running their program, I decided right away to say yes,” Pumaren said. “Adamson is famous for chemical engineering; probably they look at me as a chemist who will make the right concoction to form a winning team.”

Pumaren’s entry at Adamson opens up a sibling rivalry in the UAAP as his elder brother Derrick is calling the shots over at University of the East.

“No more Sunday lunch during the UAAP season for us baka ma-divulge ang game plan,” he joked. “It’s gonna be fun to play against your older brother. He used to coach me so more or less I know what’s on his mind.”