And since Pumaren is on the threshold of a rare 14-game sweep in the 65-year history of the country’s premier collegiate league, one can certainly say that basketball has been kind to Coach Franz.
A Lasallian, Coach Pumaren can be said to perfectly fit the definition of the Lasallian as an achiever for God and country, a Christian gentleman professionally trained and liberally educated and who exemplifies humanistic values.
Despite the pressures on and off court that is part and parcel of coaching, La Salle’s very own has never been known to lose his cool at anytime during a game.
While he has been known to openly express disagreement with some referees’ calls, Coach Franz, the gentleman that he is, has never berated them publicly or spoken harshly of them and of opposing coaches and players in spite of what many consider condemnable behavior. He certainly has not uttered cuss words at referees.
Neither has he hurled chairs or other objects into the hard court nor berated his players to the point of humiliating them.
Blessed with a lovely wife, the former Odette de Guzman and three children (two boys, both of whom are in grade school at La Salle Greenhills, and one girl), Coach Pumaren knows to whom credit is due for his successful career. He has repeatedly acknowledged the role that the Lord has played in his and his family’s life and has not allowed all these victories to get into his head. The following interview shows the five foot nine giant behind La Salle’s success at his "humblest best."
Young STAR: Coming from a family of basketball players and coaches, what was your training as a child?
Franz Pumaren: Actually, we didn’t get any training, it was just a boy thing for us to be playing basketball. You would feel out of place if you didn’t play.
Do you get tips from your brothers and other family members?
Yes. Sometimes they give me post-game pointers.
When you were younger, did you already envision yourself as a coach someday?
I never imagined myself coaching because I used to think that it entailed a lot of hard work, long working hours and so much pressure. But I enjoy coaching, don’t get me wrong.
Not only are you La Salle’s coach but you’re also a councilor, a husband, a father. How do you divide your time to balance all your activities?
I guess it’s just proper time management and knowing your priorities. As a councilor, we have sessions once a week, so I hold my office and most of my meetings in the morning. DLSU practice starts at 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. In a week, I make sure I take my wife and kids out to eat and then watch a movie after. My wife, Odette and I go out on a date every week.
What are your projects for the youth in your district?
I just finished Pumaren’s Cup which was a basketball and volleyball tournament last summer. I also conducted a referee’s seminar as a part of my livelihood program. In line with that, I also conducted meat-processing and chocolate-making seminars. Of course, we do have a medical and dental outreach program. By the start of the fourth quarter, I will be conducting a computer-training program as well.
Having two boys, would you also want them to continue the "family tradition."
I’m not pressuring my kids to take up basketball but at this point, they seem to be so into it. Maybe it’s the exposure they get from seeing too many games and reviewing so many basketball tapes. And as long as they don’t neglect their studies, it’s fine with me.
Do you see manifestations from your boys that they, too, will become future coaches and players? How do you train them as early as now?
Sometimes they tag along with me during DLSU practices and just shoot around on the side or I take them to the park and teach them the basic fundamentals of basketball. My son Luigi, on his own, would review or watch a basketball tape and tell me what he thinks my players did well or what they did wrong. But, basically, I just let them have fun playing because they’re still young.
I noticed that your family is always present during La Salle’s games, is this mandatory for them?
No, they just enjoy watching the games. My boys are from La Salle Greenhills, my wife graduated from DLSU and so did Derrick and Dindo. Even my parents say that they feel young when they watch the UAAP games.
What is your secret to the team’s success?
I guess it’s the discipline I’ve instilled in them. We have no superstars. I don’t play favorites. I guess my players believe in what I’m doing and in the system and of course, there’s no substitute for hard work. That’s what I always tell the boys.
And to what do you attribute your winning streak?
I guess it’s God’s will because we have been blessed for four years. Also, I have the all-out support of our manager, Terry Capistrano, Ricky Razon, the coaching staff, the student body, the alumni, and of course my family.
If there were an overused word, sentence or phrase you tell the team, what would it be?
Again, it would be, "There’s no substitute for hard work."
And if you could rate how hard the team works from 1-10, how high or low would it be?
I’d give my boys a 10!
Being a La Sallian as well, in what way did the Lasallian education mold you into who you are now?
As a Lasallian, I have learned to always put in your best effort in everything that you do because eventually, you will reap the success of all your hard work. As a Councilor, I am able to show my being a man for others through various projects I am involved in for my constituents in District 3, Quezon City. As a coach, I make it a point to instill discipline in my players and to stay humble despite our past four championships.
Would you say you were a good student?
I’d say I was just average. I managed to balance my studies and play for the PBL and eventually the PBA while finishing my course in BS Marketing.
What, for you, is the best thing about coaching for La Salle?
It would have to be the honor of being able to bring glory to my alma mater for the past four years, and being able to unite the La Salle community during the UAAP season. It also feels good to know that they take pride in what we have done for the basketball team. They give me their all-out support and I can’t ask for more.
Who is the biggest influence in your life or has played the biggest role in your life?
Without trying to sound too spiritual, I’d have to say God because without Him I don’t think I’d be able to win all the four championships with the team for La Salle. He has blessed me with a good family, life and success as coach for DLSU and councilor for District 3, Quezon City.
What is your greatest achievement so far?
I take pride in having a happy and loving family that supports me in all my endeavors and has been with me through thick and thin. And of course, giving DLSU four championships and hopefully fifth, if we get lucky again!