Franz Pumaren: ‘We’re here to give Adamson a championship’
Adamson formally introduces its new head coach Franz Pumaren. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Franz Pumaren isn’t tempering expectations as he takes on the role as the new head coach of Adamson.
“We don’t run away from challenges. We’ll make sure that each year, we’ll be competitive,” said Pumaren after he was formally introduced to the media on Friday. “I’m not going to be a hypocrite. We’re here to give Adamson a championship.”
Speaking to the media for the first time after his appointment, Pumaren has a vast coaching experience, but he admitted his latest coaching job is something new to him.
“It’s really a new challenge in my part. Adamson has a good chemical engineering program here. In a way, they looked at me as a chemist who will concoct the right solution.”
Pumaren returns to the UAAP scene after a storied run with La Salle, where he won five titles, including a four-peat before leaving the Green Archers in 2009.
His last coaching job was with the Air21 Express in the PBA in 2013.
Adamson, meanwhile, has not won a title since 1977, and is eyeing to make the Final Four after Leo Austria last led the squad in the semifinals back in 2011.
Pumaren will be the Soaring Falcons’ third coach since Austria left two years ago, and the new tactician believes that the squad has the materials to be a contender in the future with mainstays such as Papi Sarr.
“Coach Mike (Fermin) surprised a lot of teams in the season,” he said, after this year’s 3-11 finish. “We will make sure Adamson will get the respect it deserves.”
Fermin will be part of Pumaren’s coaching staff, together with longtime deputy Jack Santiago, Tonichi Yturri, and former La Salle players Renren Ritualo and Don Allado.
“We are putting our full trust in Franz,” said Adamson President Fr. Greg Bañaga Jr.
“While we do not expect an instant transformation or we don’t expect the Falcons to land as champions in one year, we are optimistic that he will build us back into a competitive team,” he said.
