Pumaren insists Archers underdogs in title clash

This early, La Salle coach Franz Pumaren has labeled his Green Archers, the defending champions, as the underdogs.

Ateneo coach Norman Black said he doesn’t care.

“Whether they (Ateneo) admit it or not, man to man they have the best players. They trained abroad, they have a grand slam coach. They have everything going on their side,” said Pumaren.

“Underdogs? Who? Coach Franz can say whatever he wants. If he wants to pose himself as the underdog that’s totally up to him. We’ll see him on Sunday,” Black said.

La Salle and Ateneo, whose age-old rivalry goes way beyond sports, sealed their fourth UAAP title showdown last Sunday by beating their respective Final Four opponents.

The war begins on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m not worried about what coach Franz says, I’m worried about my team. If he wants to be the underdog, bahala na,” said Black, married to a Filipina.

Pumaren and Black go a long way back, having played together for San Miguel Beer which the 6-foot-5 American later on coached, and steered to the grand slam in 1986.

Yes, Black said he knows Pumaren too well.

“He was with me for 12 years. We know each other pretty well and there are no secrets. We have a long history together. But as you know there’s a difference between green and blue – in this country,” he said.

“There’ll be no secrets I guess. We know each other pretty well. But now we’re on different paths,” Black added.

While Pumaren has won five titles for La Salle, Black is still in search of a first in four years as Ateneo coach, and the latter will pin his hopes on defense.

“It’s getting closer toward the end so our concentration now is just to focus on our defense and try to limit the other team as much as possible. We’re not the same type of a defensive team like La Salle. They trap a lot and go full-court and force a lot of turnovers.

“But we’re pretty proud of the fact that we can play half-court defense. To be honest with you we’re (going) to concentrate on how we can limit them offensively. That’s our concentration,” Black said.

Pumaren has yet to put his game face on. Right now, his concern is whether or not the Big Dome is fit to hold the crowd.

“I think they have to look for a bigger venue if there’s still any available,” he said in jest. – Abac Cordero