Derrick Pumaren return to his roots

UAAP coach Derrick Pumaren. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

There’s an air of excitement as De La Salle’s multititled basketball program gets a reboot with the return of Derrick Pumaren, the coach who steered the Green Archers to their first UAAP title three decades ago.

The university on Tuesday formally announced Pumaren as its head coach, replacing Gian Nazario, who handled the team with consultant Jermaine Byrd in Season 82, where the Archers missed out on a Final Four berth for the second straight year.

“We’re all excited; the players, the staff and those involved in the program [with coach Derrick’s appointment],” Nazario told the Inquirer over the phone.

Nazario and Byrd were retained, making up the coaching staff together with another former La Salle mentor, Gabby Velasco, and ex-Green Archer Mon Jose.

Pumaren was the brains behind the Archers first two titles in 1989 and 1990. The Pumaren family have a rich history with the La Salle program with Derrick’s younger brother, Franz, who now coaches the Adamson Falcons, also piloting La Salle to five titles. Another sibling, Dindo, also played and coached for the Taft-based school. INQ