Archers-Falcons tiff ‘weird,’ says Franz

AS LA SALLE’S decorated ex-mentor, Franz Pumaren admits it feels strange trying to inflict on the Green Archers their first heartbreak of the season.

“Of course it’s going to be weird,” said Pumaren, the new Adamson mentor whose winning touch surprisingly rubbed on the Falcons quite quickly.

Pumaren, who delivered five of La Salle’s eight UAAP men’s basketball titles, expects to see “old friends” in the crowd.

But on the floor, his Falcons only see the unbeaten Archers as adversaries they plan to bring down.

“We just have to dig deep for us to compete against a powerhouse like La Salle,” said Pumaren. “They have all the materials. They’re the favored team right from the very start. I hope we can sustain our run and keep the game close.”

The Archers hope to stretch their perfect run to five games as the Falcons, running second at 3-1, gun for a share of the top spot at 2 p.m. today at Mall of Asia Arena.

Ateneo, locked in a four-way tie at 2-2, also vies to rebound from an upset loss to Adamson in the 4 p.m. match versus winless University of the East.

La Salle coach Aldin Ayo, who boasts his own crown with Letran in the NCAA, admits it’s going to be tough battling Pumaren.

“I’ve mentioned Adamson as one of the contenders because of coach Franz’s system,” said Ayo. “They have the materials.”