Franz at the crossroads

PBA veteran and La Salle basketball coach Franz Pumaren has until next week to decide whether or not to run for Congress.

As a two-term councilor in Quezon City, he has the option to go for a third term but a recent survey showed he has more than a fighting chance to win the Congressional seat in the third district.

Pumaren, 44, got involved in politics as a councilor in 1992 and after serving two terms, ran for Congress in 1998. He finished second in the Lower House race then stayed away from politics until actor Rudy Fernandez convinced him to become a councilor again in 2001.

"I’ve never regretted going back to politics," said Pumaren. "It’s all about serving the people and making a difference in their lives. In basketball, I learned about teamwork, leadership, fair play and being goal-oriented – aspects that I’ve brought with me in politics."

Pumaren was one of several Ron Jacobs recruits in 1980 to enroll at La Salle as basketball scholars. The batch included Teddy Alfarero, Arnel Manosca, Pio Morabe, Jun Tan and Alfie Almario. Although basketball was a consuming passion, Pumaren never lost sight of education as a priority. He was one of only a handful of varsity players to earn a degree.

Pumaren turned pro in 1986 after playing on several national teams with contemporaries Hector Calma, Allan Caidic and Samboy Lim. He campaigned 12 years in the PBA and saw action on nine San Miguel title squads. In 1989, Pumaren was a vital cog in San Miguel’s grand slam team.

When La Salle looked for a coach in 1998, Pumaren stepped up to the plate and immediately made his presence felt. He steered the Archers to four consecutive titles up to 2001. Then, La Salle slid to second in 2002, made it to the Final Four in 2003 with a rookie-laden lineup, regained the crown in 2004 and was runner-up in 2005.

In eight years at the La Salle helm, Pumaren has won five UAAP titles and never finished out of the Final Four.

Last season, La Salle was suspended for voluntarily informing the UAAP of the presence of ineligible players. School officials discovered the PEP results of two players were fake. Pumaren was cleared of any wrongdoing as La Salle retained his services during the forced vacation.

Throughout his political career, Pumaren said no issue has ever been raised against him for whatever reason.

"As councilor, I report every Monday for sessions and I spend at least three days a week at the City Hall," said Pumaren. "I fully support Mayor Belmonte. My programs are well-balanced with a mixture of pailaw, patubig and sports. Every year, I organize the Pumaren Cup with competitions in basketball, volleyball and badminton. I’ve also been involved in sponsoring the construction of multi-purpose halls and covered playing courts."

As for La Salle, Pumaren said the one-year hiatus was a bitter pill to swallow.

"It was very hard for the players," said Pumaren. "The suspension affected all of us. Instead of playing in the UAAP, we just watched from the sidelines. But on the positive side, we matured, took the time to improve on our skills and bonded more closely."

While out of the UAAP, La Salle won the Homegrown Cup and participated in outreach programs in Bacolod, Silay and Iloilo. In the trip to Iloilo, Pumaren said he visited long-lost relatives in his family hometown of Pototan. The Archers also played exhibitions in Bahrain.

Pumaren said the varsity opens camp on April 1 with 18 players in the pool. UAAP rules stipulate a roster of 14 but Pumaren said the limit may be increased to 16.

"Our veterans T. Y. Tang, Jayvee Casio, Rico Maierhoffer and Cholo Villanueva are back," said Pumaren. "James and Allan Mangahas give us depth. We’ll also rely on rookies like Marko Batricevic, Badir Malabes and Ferdinand."

Malabes is a 6-1 guard with a Bahraini father and a Filipina mother. Batricevic, a 6-6 Serbian, played at La Salle Greenhills. Ferdinand is from Indonesia and like Batricevic, has served his residency. Under UAAP rules, a team may send in a foreigner to play on the court one at a time. There are no restrictions for dual citizens.

"UST, UE, Ateneo and Adamson are the championship contenders," said Pumaren. "After a one-year layoff, there will be pressure on us. Playing in the UAAP is a different experience from playing in any other league. Lots of people will be watching and there will be TV Coverage."

Pumaren said if he decides to run for Congress and wins, he’ll give up coaching. No wonder he hasn’t been able to sleep well lately.