Bagamat hindi kahanay sa kanilang mga alumni, buo ang pagtitiwala ng pamunuan ng Adamson University sa kinuha nilang bagong headcoach sa men’s basketball team sa UAAP na si Franz Pumaren.
“We are putting our full trust in Franz,” pahayag ni Adamson president Fr. Greg Bañaga. “While we do not expect an instant transformation, we are optimistic that he and the coaching staff will build us back to be a highly competitive team in the coming seasons to live up to its name, the Soaring Falcons.”
“We did not have second thoughts and what ifs. I think we made the right decision,” ayon pa kay Bañaga.
Si Pumaren, dating headcoach ng kanyang pinanggalingang unibersidad na De La Salle, ang ipinalit ng Adamson sa kanilang interim coach na si Mike Fermin na pansamantalang naupo bilang headcoach matapos alisin ng management ang dating coach na si Kenneth Duremdes.
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Sa ilalim ni Fermin, nagtapos ang Falcons sa nakaraang UAAP Season 78 na may barahang 3-11, panalo-talo kabilang dito ang malaking panalo kontra La Salle at University of the East sa second round.
“We looked good in blue. It’s going to be an exciting AdU team come next year,”pahayag naman ni Pumaren. “Our direction is to rebuild our program. My coaching staff will make sure that AdU will get the respect that they deserve.”
Mananatili si Fermin sa coaching staff ng Falcons bilang sa deputy ni Pumaren habang isasama naman ni Pumaren sa kanyang pagpasok ang mga dati niyang manlalaro sa Green Archers na sina Ren-Ren Ritualo at Don Allado,gayundin ang dati niyang assistant coaches sa La Salle na sina Jack Santiago at Tonichi Yturri
“They look at me as a chemist,” ayon pa kay Pumaren sa pagtanggap na ipinakita sa kanya ng Adamson.
Para naman sa pamunuan ng Adamson, umaasa silang magkakaroon ng malaking pagbabago sa kanilang koponan pagkalipas o maaaring mas mabilis pa sa dalawang taon sa ilalim ni Pumaren.
“We are building the team from where it is right now.,” ani Bañaga.”Give him two years, even less than that.”
Marami naman ang nagpahayag ng kanilang pagsuporta kay Pumaren sa kanyang pagpasok sa Adamson.”My friends from the States are starting to recommending players. That’s a good sign. We want Adamson to be a top-notch program.”
“I look at the Adamson team as a start-up company. We looking at each year trying to improve, not only individually but also our team standing,” dagdag pa nito.
“It’s just another job. Another role for me. I don’t think, it’s going to be a big event for us.,” pahayag naman nito sa nakatakdang pagtatagpo ng kanyang bagong koponan at ng La Salle sa susunod na taon. (MARIVIC AWITAN)
