Franz: my heart bleeds for dindo

By Emil Noguera
Manila Times
October 9, 2007

Franz Pumaren has mixed emotions after steering La Salle to a seventh title in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball title Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

And why not? Franz won his fifth title as coach of the Green Archers at the expense of younger brother Dindo, who happens to be the mentor of the University of the East Red Warriors.

“This victory is bittersweet. This is the first time I felt this way after winning the finals. It’s so hard going up against your brother,” said Franz after getting his traditional victory ride.

“My heart bleeds for my brother,” said Franz. “Kung pwede ko lang hatiin ’yung trophy, gagawin ko.”

Experience was the key in the Archers’ sweep of the best-of-three title series.

“Experience ang nagdala sa panalo namin. Ibang-iba ang naging laro ng mga bata sa finals. Doon lumitaw ang character and passion nila to win the title,” declared Franz, who started to coach La Salle in 1998.

La Salle won game 1, 64-63, and took Game 2, 73-64 to clinch the title.

It was a sorry loss for the Warriors, who defeated the Archers in overtime, 94-82, on September 13 for a sweep of the double-round eliminations.

“We’re a little bit down and frustrated but we had a good run and there is nothing to be ashamed of,” said Dindo, after bringing UE to its first finals after 17 years. The Warriors last trip to the finals was in 1990 when they lost to the Archers.