Pumaren back as Archers coach

MANILA, Philippines — The La Salle Green Archers are back under the care of veteran, multi-titled coach Derrick Pumaren.

The Taft-based school announced yesterday a coaching change for the third straight year, tapping back Pumaren to call the shots for the Archers in the coming 83rd UAAP Season.

“The university welcomes back Coach Derrick to the La Sallian community as he maps out the new direction of the Green Archers,” said the university in an official statement. 

It will mark the return of Pumaren to the La Salle turf after two decades.

Way before his younger brother Franz built a dynasty during the early 2000s, Derrick brought La Salle to the UAAP mountaintop with back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.

Pumaren would later on part ways with La Salle in 1991 to take his act to the amateur commercial then the pro league where he also weaved his championship magic. 

The seasoned mentor authored the dominance of Magnolia and Triple V in the PABL and PBL before landing a head coaching role in the PBA with several teams such as Sunkist, Pepsi, Sta. Lucia, FedEx, Purefoods and Talk ‘n Text. 

He was also part of coach Norman Black’s staff in 1989 when San Miguel captured a prestigious PBA grandslam. 

He went back to the collegiate ranks as coach of UE from 2014-2017. From 2018 until late 2019, he served as program director and later on head coach of Centro Escolar which he steered to a magical PBA D-League Finals run with just a seven-strong roster. 

At La Salle, Pumaren will be tasked to end the team’s two-year absence in UAAP Final Four.

With Gian Nazario at helm, the Green Archers finished with a decent 7-7 card but missed the semis last season.

Nazario will stay with the squad as part of Pumaren’s staff.