MANILA, Philippines — University of the East hopes to regain its winning ways with another Pumaren at the helm.
Derrick Pumaren has been named as head coach of the UE men’s basketball team Thursday and the former pro mentor said he hopes to make the most out of the next three months before the UAAP fires off on July 12.
“The priority is trying to put in the system, and hopefully, they (players) will be able to understand it right away,” Pumaren told the Inquirer Thursday. “I told the players that time is not on our side. It’s not going to be easy but it can be done.”
Pumaren will be assisted by his younger brother Dindo, who steered the Warriors to the Final Four for five straight seasons starting in 2004 and to the Finals in 2007. Their father, Pilo, also coached UE in the late ’70s.
The former powerhouse Warriors have missed the semifinals in the last four years.
Pumaren joined the Red Warriors’ practice yesterday, two weeks after UE surprisingly sacked Boycie Zamar.
UE cited Zamar’s multiple coaching commitments with other teams as the reason for his abrupt dismissal.
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