MANILA – Ilonggo Frederick Pumaren is making a return as head coach in UAAP men’s seniors basketball after agreeing to call the shots for the De La Salle University Green Archers.
In a statement yesterday, the Green Archers announced the appointment of the Pototan, Iloilo native, marking his DLSU return since leading the school to back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990.
It also served as UAAP return for the veteran mentor, more known to the sports circle as Manong Derick, after serving as head coach of the University of the East Red Warriors from 2013 to 2017 but failed to steer the school to UAAP Final Four.
Pumaren’s appointment as Green Archers mentor was effective Jan. 1 after securing his release from Centro Escolar University Scorpions, where he serve as concurrent head of basketball operations and head coach.
Aside from UAAP, Pumaren has a decorated coaching career in the PBA handling teams like Pepsi, Sunkist, Sta. Lucia Realtors, Purefoods Carne Norte Beefies, FedEx Express, and TNT KaTropa.
The Green Archers is hoping to improve its fifth place finish in the Season 82 of UAAP men’s seniors basketball last year where it has a 7-7 win-loss record.
Serving as assistant coaches of Pumaren were Gabby Velasco, Mon Jose and Gian Nazario, who was DLSU’s head coach last season, while Jermaine Byrd remains as development coach./PN
