Authorities of Adamson University have decided to let go of Soaring Falcons' Franz Pumaren.
The decision came more than a month after Pumaren’s contract as head coach of the men’s basketball team expired.
At first, the school through their athletic director Fr. Aldrin Suan felt hesitant to part ways with Pumaren.
Pumaren has expressed his desire to retire from coaching and concentrate on his position as a councilor in the third district of Quezon City and seek reelection in 2022.
“As Adamson University understands the desire of Coach Franz to give full-time service to his constituents in his district in Quezon City, we announce with a heavy heart that Coach Franz will cease mentoring the Adamson Falcons effective this current year,” said school authorities in an official statement.
The 57-year-old Pumaren had been handling the Falcons for the last five years in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
He was assisted by Jack Santiago, Renren Ritualo, Don Allado, and Tonichi Yturri, who were his assistant coaches.
“The whole Adamson community would like to thank Coach Franz Pumaren for his unselfish sharing of his time and talent with the Adamson Men’s Varsity Team, masterfully lifting once again the standing of the Falcons in the prestigious UAAP League,” added school officials in their statement.
Pumaren has also coached the La Salle Green Archers to five titles.
This included a four-peat from 1998 to 2001.
Thoughts of stepping out of the limelight crossed Pumaren’s mind following the postponement of Season 83 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“His unique brand of coaching has carried the Falcons through several respectable finishes in the last five UAAP seasons which were considered by the Adamson community as the most electrifying Falcon seasons by far,” the statement went on.