Derrick Pumaren

Playing career

Collegiate career

Pumaren was a member of the UE Red Warriors 1978 championship team.

Coaching career

Magnolia (PBL) head coach (1983–1990)

While being an assistant, Pumaren led the Magnolia to six Philippine Amateur Basketball League championship.

Assistant coach (1985–1989)

Pumaren was hired an assistant coach for San Miguel Beermen led by then import-coach Norman Black. But when the People Power Revolution occurred and the Beermen was left the league for a while, he worked for Tanduay Rhum Makers under coach Arturo Valenzona and won back-to-back championship in 1987, but lost in the third conference and spoiled their chance to swipe the prestigious Grand slam. He returned as an assistant coach in 1987. When Norman Black returned, this time as a full-time head coach, Pumaren helped the Beermen to win four championships, including the 1989 grand slam.

Magnolia head coach (1986)

In 1986, the Magnolia/SMB returned to the league in the last conference of the season, Pumaren was appointed as head coach, but placed last in the standings.

La Salle (1986–1991)

Pumaren became the head coach for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP from 1986 to the early 90s, piloting the team to its first UAAP finals appearance in 1988, and first championship in 1989 and repeating in 1990. He also called the shots for the 1991 La Salle team in a controversial UAAP championship game win over FEU in 1991.

Philippine team (1989)

Pumaren led the Philippine team (RP-5) into a silver finish against Malaysia in 1989 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games.

Triple-V (1991–1992)

Pumaren led Triple-V Restaurant into three PABL championships.

Pepsi (1990–1994)

Pumaren was hired by Pepsi Hotshots to replace legendary PBA head coach Ed Ocampo. Pumaren led his team to a finals appearance in 1992 PBA Third Conference finals as 7Up Uncolas, but swept by Swift.

Sunkist Orange Juicers and success (1995–1996)

Pumaren was hired as Swift Mighty Meaties/Hotdogs head coach. In 1995, Swift changed its name to Sunkist Orange Juicers and he led his team to two championships (defeating Alaska Milkmen in both finals series), but lost in the last conference. He won Coach of the Year (COY) Award in the same season. But in 1996, the success was not doubled, even assisted by legendary coach Turo Valenzona.

Co-coach at Mobiline (1997)

Pumaren was hired as co-coach for Mobiline Phone Pals with Tommy Manotoc. But their partnership did not bear any championship appearance.

Sta. Lucia Realtors (1998)

He replaced Chot Reyes as head coach of the Sta. Lucia Realtors. He led the team to a semi-finals appearance in 1998 PBA All-Filipino Cup.

Purefoods (1999–2000)

He replaced future PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa as Purefoods head coach. One of the trades under him was trading away Defense Minister Jerry Codiñera to the Mobiline Phone Pals to get the 6'9 center Andy Seigle. In 2000, Pumaren led Purefoods to two finals appearances, first in All-Filipino Cup and the last was in the Governors' Cup.

Tanduay and FedEx (2001–2003)

He coached the Tanduay Rhum Masters on its last season in the league. When Bert Lina acquired the team, Pumaren and some players are carried over to the FedEx Express. In 2003, he was sacked and replaced by Bonnie Garcia.

Consultant for UE (2004–2008)

When his brother Dindo Pumaren was hired as head coach of UE Red Warriors, Pumaren was hired as team consultant. He helped the team to reach Final Four in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008. He also helped the team to get a 14-0 elimination sweep that gave them to chance to skip the Final Four and advance to the finals in 2007, but got swept by the returning De La Salle Green Archers (who were suspended the previous year) in the finals led by their brother Franz Pumaren.

Talk 'N Text (2006–2008)

Pumaren was hired by Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in 2005–06 season as their consultant, but later became head coach in 2006 Philippine Cup. He led his team to 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference finals, but lost to Alaska Aces led by ex Phone Pals Willie Miller. But after the finals appearance, they suffered some losses led to rumors of team management firing him and his staff, but after a meeting with the players, it was decided to defer the decision until after the next tournament, the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference. He was later replaced by Chot Reyes.

Hong Kong (2008–2014)

Pumaren served as team consultant to Hong Kong.

UE (2014–2017)

Pumaren was hired by UE Red Warriors as head coach, and led his team to a 4th seed playoff game against the eventual champions NU Bulldogs, but lost. UE struggled and did not qualify for the next seasons that led him to resign.

CEU Scorpions (2018–2019)

Pumaren was hired by CEU Scorpions as head coach, and led his team to a better performance in Universities and Colleges Basketball League, but once lost to Olivarez College in a semi-final game. In 2019 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup, he led the Scorpions to be a great performing team, but lost to Ateneo Blue Eagles 3 games to 1.

Return to La Salle (2020–2022)

In 2020, he returned as head coach for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP, replacing Gian Nazario. In December 2022, La Salle opted not to renew Pumaren's contract.

Discovery–Rizal (2025–)

Pumaren joined the Discovery Perlas Rizal of the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) 2025 regular season. This is his first time for him to coach a women's team.

Coaching record

Collegiate record

aWon UAAP Championship but forfeited and the 1991 title was later awarded to FEU

Professional record

National team record

The Pumaren Family

• His father is Pilo Pumaren (Former UE Red Warrior), who also served as an assistant coach under Norman Black to the San Miguel Beermen. He also played for the UE Red Warriors.
• He has two younger brothers who were both PBA players whom he had coached: Franz Pumaren (former La Salle Green Archer), who played for the San Miguel Beermen and Mobiline Phone Pals, he later inherited Derrick's head coaching duties in the UAAP and the PBL. Franz would go on to win the most college basketball titles in the modern era (post-EDSA). The youngest brother is Dindo Pumaren, who played for and won multiple championships with the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs and Pepsi, former head coach of the UE Red Warriors and DLSU Green Archers in the UAAP. Dindo is considered one of the game's greatest point guards in the same breath as peers such as Olsen Racela and Ronnie Magsanoc.

References

Norman Black Joel Banal Tommy Manotoc Chot Reyes

References

1. "Meet the star guard who led Ateneo to first UAAP finals victory over rival La Salle".
2. Tupas, Cedelf P.. (2020-01-07). "Derrick Pumaren returns as La Salle head coach".
3. "Remember this strange end to the FEU vs La Salle finals in 1991?".
4. Henson, Joaquin M.. "Coach recalls beating Pinoys".
5. "Manila Standard - Google News Archive Search".
6. "Manila Standard - Google News Archive Search".
7. "Manila Standard - Google News Archive Search".
8. "Manila Standard - Google News Archive Search".
9. "Manila Standard - Google News Archive Search".
10. "Manila Standard - Google News Archive Search".
11. "Philippine Daily Inquirer - Google News Archive Search".
12. "Philippine Daily Inquirer - Google News Archive Search".
13. "Philippine Daily Inquirer - Google News Archive Search".
14. "Philippine Daily Inquirer - Google News Archive Search".
15. Cordero, Abac. "Pumaren vs Pumaren in UE vs DLSU".
16. "It's Derrick, not Chot at TnT".
17. "The Manila Times - Google News Archive Search".
18. (2007-07-09). "ABS-CBN Interactive".
19. Cordova, Calvin. (27 October 2008). "We're stronger". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer.
20. "Hong Kong could also cause reeling Gilas some problems, says Derrick Pumaren".
21. "Derrick Pumaren admits parting of ways with UE Red Warriors".
22. Bacnis, Justine. (2020-05-15). "Derrick Pumaren looks back on the last team that beat Ateneo -- the 7-man CEU Scorpions".
23. Tupas, Cedelf P.. (2020-01-07). "Derrick Pumaren returns as La Salle head coach".
24. Li, Matthew. (2022-12-27). "La Salle makes decision not to renew Pumaren for UAAP 86".
25. (3 August 2025). "Derrick Pumaren embraces new chapter in women's hoops with Discovery-Rizal". Tiebreaker Times.