Badminton's loss is basketball's gain

There’s a brand-new basketball training facility slated to open in April next year and former PBA cager Franz Pumaren is masterminding the preparations to put up the first 24/7 state-of-the-art mini-complex in the country ever.

The location is easily accessible and that’s a major reason why Pumaren grabbed the opportunity to take over the former Yonex badminton layout at the Liberty Place on Show Boulevard in between Cherry Foodarama and the Dumlao gym. Pumaren signed a lease contract with the property owner, the Litton family, for seven years with an option to renew for three more.

For Pumaren, it’s more than just a business venture. In his long years as a basketball player and coach, he looked forward to practice. Pumaren relished the ambiance of the gym, reflecting the values of hard work, discipline and self-sacrifice. His dream has always been to oversee a practice facility from design to operations. Now, he has a chance to live that dream.

Pumaren, 48, played 12 years in the PBA up to 1997 and is a multi-titled La Salle coach. He learned the ropes from one of the game’s most astute teachers, Ron Jacobs. With the practice facility, Pumaren will give back to the sport that has meant so much to his life.

“One feature we are introducing is the 24/7 concept,” said Pumaren. “The idea came to me once while having dinner in Greenbelt. I overheard people talking about playing basketball from 12 midnight to 2 a.m. Apparently, they were call center agents and because of their work hours, their body clock is different. I don’t know if they found a gym open at that time but it gave me the idea of a 24/7 facility.”

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Pumaren has contracted the Nazareno and Guerrero Design Consultancy for the architectural and interior plans for the project. Anthony Nazareno is the lead architect.

“It’s now in the design stage,” said Pumaren. “We want it to be modern. We’re renovating an existing structure that was formerly used for badminton. We’ve got 2,000 square meters of space to work with and we’re excited to put things in order. We’ll have four basketball goals the brand of which is still under negotiation. We’re laying out a Horner maplewood hardcourt. We’ll also have a boxing and muay thai section, a weights room, office space for team coaches and meetings, exclusive dressing rooms, private basement parking with direct access to the facility, free open parking lot, a gallery for about 300, air-conditioning and possibly, a coffee shop and spa.”

Pumaren said he envisioned the requirements of a typical PBA team in listing the facility’s features.

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“I know what a PBA team needs, having played in the league for years,” he said. “I thought of a private basement parking level so players can drive in and out easily. I thought of providing office space which can be a viewing room. Athletes can work out in the conditioning room which will offer the latest equipment. They can hang out in the restaurant or rest up in the spa. Liberty Place is a large complex with a Puregold and lots of restaurants. I think going to practice at our facility will be an exciting experience. We want players to look forward to practice. Although basketball will be our main focus, we want our facility to be overall sports-related.”

Pumaren hinted of bringing over a well-known US conditioning coach to conduct clinics at the facility next year. The coach has been asked to share his inputs in the design of the work area. Pumaren declined to reveal the identity of the coach as he is still to confirm his involvement in the project. The coach has been linked to one of basketball’s greatest players. 

“We’ll start work on the reconstruction in January and we expect to finish by April,” said Pumaren.