THERE WERE NO TEARS, just the reminiscences of the good ol’ days.

Franz Pumaren, in the company of his closest friends, said on Tuesday night that he isn’t leaving the De La Salle Green Archers with a heavy heart.

Instead, the bemedalled Archers coach spoke with conviction as he announced his decision to go deep into the world of politics.

“It’s going to be unfair for La Salle if I continue holding on to the coaching job while I’m busy dealing with my constituents,” said Pumaren, who is eyeing a congressional seat in Quezon City District III.

Br. Bernie Oca, FSC, the school’s representative to the UAAP board announced Pumaren’s resignation as La Salle coach during the team’s practice last Tuesday.

Pumaren’s younger brother Dindo, the former University of the East coach who served as his assistant this season, will take over starting January.

“I’m thankful that La Salle trusted me; I’ll just do my best,” said Dindo.

La Salle, in a statement yesterday, said the elder Pumaren will still remain in the team as “consultant to the DLSU basketball program.”

“There’s a tinge of sadness, of course,” said Pumaren, who steered the Archers to five UAAP championships in the last 11 years.

The Archers, however, failed to reach the Final Four this season for the first time under Pumaren’s watch.

“I would have wanted to quit on a winning note but that’s life and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved as La Salle head coach,” said Pumaren, who bowed out with an overall 138-54 win-loss record.

Pumaren, a three-term Quezon City councilor and a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition of Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, is again taking a crack at the post being held by Rep. Mat Defensor.

After taking over the La Salle coaching job in 1998 from Jong Uichico, Pumaren quickly stamped his mark in the UAAP by winning four straight championships.

Pumaren believes Dindo can be just as successful.

“Dindo is no longer a neophyte when it comes to coaching,” the elder Pumaren said. “This season the team went through a rebuilding process with rookies trying to fit in the system. Next year it’s going to be a different story.”

With Pumaren during the late night dinner were some of his staunch backers including Dindo, assistant coaches Jack Santiago and Tonichi Yturri, team manager Terry Capistrano and Manny Salgado.

Pumaren will call the shots for the last time when the Archers seek back-to-back titles in the Champions League in November.