Pumaren, Ritualo praise Adamson rookies: ‘No jitters’

Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren calls out instructions during a game against University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Winning its first game in a dominating fashion, Adamson coach Franz Pumaren had high praise for his starting backcourt of Robbie Manalang and Jerrick Ahanmisi.

“I’m confident with these two guys,” Pumaren said after the Soaring Falcons’ 104-85 win over University of the Philippines on Sunday.

“They are smart enough, and their shooting has been there.”

Part of this rousing win should be credited to the team’s scintillating shooting, as the Soaring Falcons went 66 percent from the field while going 68 percent from threes.

And one of Pumaren’s staff responsible for the good shooting night was assistant coach Renren Ritualo.

The former La Salle hotshot took charge in helping not just Ahanmisi and Manalang, but the rest of the team hone their shots as Adamson hopes to fare well this UAAP Season 79.

But Ritualo said that the hot sniping should be solely attributed to the guard’s hardwork.

“Masipag mag-practice yung mga bata. May mga ginagawa kami before the practice that gives importance to their skills. We always do skill work every practice.”

Ritualo, though, is proud that his new starting backcourt came through for Adamson, showing no rookie jitters as Pumaren won in his UAAP return.

“Sabi lang namin sa kanila, do what we practice and play like we do in our practice sessions. We told them to keep their calm,” he said.

“Although they are rookies, you have to give it to them because walang rookie jitters with both of them. Sobrang ganda ng pinakita nila. Pero ang sabi lang namin sa kanila pagpasok ng dugout, consistency is the key.”/rga