DE LA SALLE has officially announced the appointment of alumnus Gelacio “Gee” Abanilla as new head coach of its men’s basketball team.

Abanilla was formally introduced to the La Salle community on Tuesday where he met the “godfathers” of the Green Archers in a private lunch at the Manila Polo Club.

“We are happy to have a former Green Archer handle the team,” said Br. Bernie Oca, the school’s vice chancellor for Lasallian Mission and External Relations.

“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.”

Abanilla served as one of the assistants to former head coach Franz Pumaren from 1998 to 2000. He also played on the team that won the University Athletic Association of the Philippines crowns in 1989 and 1990.

“I’m very happy and honored to be chosen as the new head coach of the De La Salle Green Archers,” said Abanilla in a statement.

“I would like to bring a different brand of system. I want to put the players in a position where they can succeed. I am very optimistic we can improve.  With the support of the community, we can improve on the standing last year,” he added.

The BusinessMirror learned that former Green Archers Jun Limpot, Juno Sauler and Tyrone Bautista will be on Abanilla’s coaching staff.

Abanilla’s entry marked a new era in La Salle basketball after brothers Franz and Dindo Pumaren handled the program from 1998 to 2011.Their eldest brother Derrick also coached the squad in the late 80s and won two in 1989 and 1990 when Abanilla was a player.

Dindo Pumaren resigned after failing to lead the team to Final Four of the 74th season, where the Green Archers finished a dismal sixth with a 5-9 win-loss record.

The Green Archers’ ‘godfathers” include business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, Jorge Araneta, Henry Atayde, Kurt Bachman, Chuck Buenaventura, Ramon Del Rosario Jr., Br. Rolando Dizon FSC, Mike Enriquez, DJ Jose, Philip Ella Juico, Gerry Lanuza, Lim Eng Beng, Tony Lim, Franz Pumaren, Enrique Razon Jr., Justice Andy Reyes, Ren-Ren Ritualo, Nestor Tan, Lito Tanjuatco, Perry Uy, Johnny Valdez, Gary Valenciano, Ramon Villavicencio and Hero Yu.