INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—He bowed out just as his squad made its exit.

The University of the East Warriors came out of their dugout in tears Sunday not because of their narrow loss to the De La Salle University Green Archers in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League’s Filoil-Flying V “Sweet 16” Final Challenge.

The Warriors mourned the shock departure of coach Dindo Pumaren.

After manning the UE bench for five seasons, Pumaren officially bid goodbye to the perennial UAAP title contender, citing other future plans.

“I already resigned two days after our UAAP Final Four game, but [UE’s representative to the UAAP board Carmelita] Mateo requested that I continue coaching the team in the PCCL,” Pumaren told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

“I decided to stay on, but I now have (to pursue) other personal plans.”

Pumaren’s announcement came minutes after his older brother Franz’s Green Archers pulled off a 75-72 escape over the Warriors in the PCCL quarterfinals, Eliminating UE from the tournament.

Under Dindo, the Warriors reached the UAAP finals for the first time in two decades following a phenomenal 14-0 sweep of the elimination round last year.

But Franz and his multi-titled crew wound up stunning them for the 2007 men’s basketball title.

Pumaren, a former star Purefoods point guard in the PBA, debuted as collegiate coach in 2004, taking over a UE squad reeling from the departure of standouts James Yap and Paul Artadi.

The 43-year-old mentor still managed to steer the ragtag squad to a Final Four stint and led the Warriors to the semifinals in the next four years.

The Warriors finished fourth this season. “We had good runs and of course heartaches, but overall, it was a good learning experience,” said Pumaren.