Derrick Pumaren returns to La Salle as head coach

Derrick Pumaren is back with the green and white (Tristan Tamayo/Inquirer.net)

By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

One of the most prized personalities in the La Salle Green Archers history is back and ready to help the team again.

Derrick Pumaren, the mastermind behind La Salle’s back-to-back title runs from 1989-1990, has been tapped to be the new head coach and without hesitation, the La Salle legend accepted the duty.

Known to be one of the maestros behind La Salle’s dominant run every decade up to the early 2000s, Pumaren is widely respected around the UAAP community of having a great basketball mind.

Sharing his expertise with the UE Red Warriors before accepting his coaching tenure with La Salle, Pumaren helped develop current MPBL star and PH 3×3 main gunner, Alvin Pasaol.

Despite his failed mission to get UE back in the final four, the impact Pumaren had in the careers of his former players was evidence of how effective Pumaren is as an orchestrator.

Pumaren is excited to work with the guys in green and white led by sharp-shooter Aljun Melecio and crafty big man Jason Baltazar who are expected to carry the Green Archers to the final four this upcoming UAAP Season 83.