UAAP recruiting: Out of control?

THERE are many cases of reformed offenders eventually becoming w whistleblowers. We have one in the he headlines right now. Usually, it’s a co cog in the machine; someone who ha has not been greased enough or who ha has (hopefully) realized that he can no longer align erroneous activities to his own moral compass.

Rarely do we see the ringmaster being in the whistleblower, but in the case of Coach Franz Pumaren’s recent statements m on University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) recruitment, it’ it’s probably close. Of course, Franz is no now on the underdog side (relative to th the titanic schools of the UAAP), but for ab about a decade, the La Salle Green Archers do dominated college basketball, and recruitment cru definitely played a major part.

DLSU D dynasty

Some So of the famous tales of DLSU recruitment m included acquiring RenRen Ritualo from fro San Beda after winning the juniors Most M Valuable Player (MVP) award. The feat fe was repeated with JVee Casio. These players pl have won multiple titles and eventually tu had professional careers.

These were just a few of the Pumaren en protégés that would populate any lis list of the college players. Mac Cardona, do Mike Cortez and Don Allado w were also part of the list.

This was definitely a fitting tribute to Pu Pumaren’s excellent program. During hi his era, Ateneo emerged as a recruitment gi giant as well after their perennial juniors dy dynasty eventually made the core of its se senior team, leading to two years of the sto storied Ateneo-La Salle rivalry that are no now classics (2001 to 2002).

Coach Franz’s wards have become co coaches themselves (namely Ty Tang an and Cholo Villanueva). If the real test of being a great leader is to produce other great leaders, Pumaren has definitely etched his place in the pantheon.

Rebirth and retribution

For someone used to a lofty perch, Pumaren’s acceptance of the Adamson Falcons’ coaching post was no less than audacious. He inherited an Adamson program that was reeling from the recent departure of Leo Austria, who became one of the most successful coaches in the Phlippine Basketball Association (PBA).

After finishing 1-13 and 3-11 in the succeeding seasons, the Falcons took Pumaren, and he promptly brought them back to relevance, barging into the Final four for three straight seasons and losing only twice to the UP “Atin Ito” team in the Final four in Season 81.

Since the team failed to make the Final four last season, Coach Franz would definitely want to retool, especially since his top scorer Val Chauca was just a one-and-done.

Interestingly, Pumaren had a slight brush with his former school. Tyrus Hill and Kurt Lojera were some of his regime’s top recruits, but they transferred to La Salle amid accusations from Assistant Coach Don Allado that these players lied to them about their true plans.

This probably sparked some of Coach Franz’s statements in the Unfiltered podcast, specifically on recruitment and transfers.

‘ What’s in it for us?’

Franz mentioned how it is an “open secret” that recruits and their families would ask about the “benefits” rather than take interest in the school’s actual program. I would not dispute that. However, it is definitely hard to sympathize with Coach Franz; let alone see him as a victim.

He noted how “times have changed” when players would only ask about the program. The only question would be: Which era was that? Was it in 1998 when he built a Green dynasty — or much earlier?

DLSU has been known to be one of the more “athlete friendly” schools in the tournament. They are aggressive in recruiting, which is part of why they are one of the most successful schools in UAAP history. Sure, they had a great program with Franz, but there could be more compelling reasons why a prospect would choose Taft Ave.

The new top dogs

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons have been perennial last choices in the recruiting hierarchy. Then, they suddenly struck gold with Bo Perasol, acquiring blue chips Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero.

Recently, they went on an unprecedented recruiting coup, landing top prospect Carl Tamayo of National University (NU) Nazareth, along with teammate Gerry Abadiano. They also have recruits from Canada (Anton Eusebio) and Xavier School (Miguel Tan).

Suddenly, UP is now being accused of being the recruitment “bully” that is hoarding talent. How should the school cope with that?

Maybe it should ask Coach Franz Pumaren.