Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Franz Pumaren wasn’t about to sugarcoat things when his Adamson University lost to De La Salle, 82-75, in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament.
Pumaren said the officiating in the game “was the worst” he had experienced in all the 19 years he has coached basketball.
“You know, stepping out of the [Smart Araneta] Coliseum the La Sallians, even the coaches of Zobel, were embarrassed,” said Pumaren in Filipino Saturday. “When I shook hands with them, their hands were so cold it’s as if they were carrying ice.”
Adamson was called with 33 fouls, with one technical foul going to Pumaren, while La Salle were reprimanded 12 times.
La Salle also had 39 free throws, making 26, while the Soaring Falcons attempted just five and made two of those charities.
“It’s so frustrating… we worked hard for this, we prepared for it,” said Pumaren. “I don’t think I was outcoached, I don’t think we got outplayed. It’s so disappointing.”
“La Salle is already a strong team and this happens.”
Pumaren, who actually served as La Salle’s head coach from 1998 to 2009 and served as a Green Archer in the 1980s, added that even other La Salle alumni weren’t happy with the way the game was won.
“My fellow friends from La Salle, they weren’t even proud of it,” said Pumaren. “Even some of the UAAP coaches are texting me now, saying that this is a sad day for the UAAP. I won’t mention who these guys are but two are from Final Four contenders and two more coaches said that this was a sad day.”