Abanilla is new La Salle coach

THE LA SALLE Green Archers have finally made it official that their new head coach of the seniors basketball program will be Gee Abanilla.

After months of speculation following the resignation of former head coach Dindo Pumaren, the hiring was finally confirmed by Brother Bernie Oca, the school’s vice chancellor for Lasallian Mission and External Relations, in a statement.

“This marks the beginning of the preparation of the men’s basketball team for the coming season. It is heartening to see an outpouring of support for the team.

The university will be behind the new coach so that he and the team will be able to achieve the best next season,” he said.

Abanilla is no stranger to La Salle basketball, having once donned the green and white jersey in the late ’80s and being part of the champion teams in 1989 and 1990 under coach Derrick Pumaren. He was also part of the coaching staff of Franz Pumaren from 1998 to 2000, winning the title in each of those years.

Under Pumaren this past season, the Green Archers finished sixth with a 5-9 win-loss mark and missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio