In close to 33 minutes of action, Jerrick Ahanmisi played inspired basketball for the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
It wasn’t only because the San Marcelino school had to find a way to end a four-game losing streak that started in the first round. It also wasn’t just to kickstart their push to enter the Final Four in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament. More than that, it was to give back to the man who gave the fourth-year veteran this break in the first place — coach Franz Pumaren.
“He’s a big factor. I mean, he’s already making an effort to come to the games and get in the car and come over here. I’ve been trying to play my games for him. Just play hard and play defense, whatever I needed to do to help the team play,” said the 6-foot-1 swingman.
“He’s a big part of who I am today.”
Early in the week, the legendary mentor underwent surgery to remove kidney stones in his body after he felt tremendous pain as he was on his way to conduct a training session. Despite being fresh from surgery, though, Pumaren did not take a leave.
No excuses, as they say.
“For as long as I can walk, I’ll be showing up in games and practices.”
Once more, his presence in the contest against the NU Bulldogs proved pivota. His halftime sermon pushed his boys to play better come the third quarter.
“Like we said in the interview, coach Franz told the team that we lacked intensity from everybody, and you know we all brought up an effort. We all brought up each other and we played the game like we were supposed to play,” explained Ahanmisi.
For the Season 81 Mythical Team member, Pumaren represents more than just a basketball coach. Like a lot of the legendary mentor’s past players from the DLSU Green Archers, Ahanmisi’s career with the five-time UAAP gold medalist makes him see the 55-year-old as a person who has changed his life for the better.
“It’s a big factor. I’ve been with him for four years now and he’s a big part of why I’m the player I am today. He’s kind of like a father figure to me. He tells me when I’m doing something wrong. He tells me when I’m doing something right,” explained the 21-year-old.
“He’s just a big support system for me.”
The 72-53 victory was a good respite for Ahanmisi, Pumaren, and the rest of the Soaring Falcons, as it revives their quest to book a ticket in the post-season. However, the Filipino-Nigerian knows that there is still a long way to go before Adamson gets to where it wants to be.
“I don’t want to promise anything, but I’m just gonna tell my team that we have to play hard. We can’t stop here. We still got four games to go in order for us to have a chance to play in the Final Four.”
For coach Franz, and for Adamson.
