Lauro "The Fox" Mumar (March 6, 1924 – December 20, 1990)[1] was a Filipinobasketball player and later served as the national team head coach of India and the Philippines. He was one of the greatest Filipino players of his time, playing alongside compatriot legend Carlos Loyzaga.[2] He is the father of Lawrence "Larry" Mumar (30 November 1946 – 23 October 2001) who was also a basketball player.[3] He is the grandfather of L.A. Mumar,[4]Vico Sotto's half-brother.
Mumar was banned for life from playing for the national team by the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation when he failed to join the rest of the
1954 FIBA World Championship national squad that left Manila for the United States where the team was set to play tune-up games. This led to a national controversy where his ban was discussed in the House of Representatives, and it was found out that he was in Bohol waiting for pocket money from his parents, which never arrived to be able to go to the capital. President Ramon Magsaysay talked with PAAF officials to overturn the ban and was successful.[6]
Mumar was then able to join the rest of the team in Florida. The national squad flew to Cuba and participated in the scrimmage against that country's national team. They won 49–45 over Cuba which was regarded as an upset by the home team. Cuba decided not to participate in the world tournament after the loss. The Philippines finished third and captured the bronze medal, the best finish ever by the country in the World Championships, losing only to the United States and Brazil.[6]
Coaching career
When he retired from playing basketball he went on to coaching.[3] He has called the shots in collegiate basketball with FEATI, UST and Trinity College. In the commercial leagues, he was the head coach of Mariwasa, Meralco, U/Tex, Seven-Up, Filmanbank and Winston.
Mumar coached the Philippine national team to a third-place finish in the 1969 Asian Basketball Confederation Championship (now FIBA Asia Championship) in Bangkok. After his sole stint with the national team[3] he went to India to teach basketball in the state of Karnataka along with American coaches.[8] He was later named head coach of the Indian national team.[3]
Later years and legacy
In 1981, Mumar worked as a panel analyst with Dick Ildefonso for the PBA games on MBS-4. He was also a radio TV commentator with Joe Cantada covering NCAA contest in the past.
In 2005, he was inducted into the Philippine Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame alongside his teammate Carlos Loyzaga.[9]
Awards and achievements
1948 Summer Olympics, 12th place
1951 Asian Games, champions
1954 Asian Games, champions
1954 FIBA World Championship bronze medalist (third place)
1969 FIBA Asia Championship bronze medalist (third place) as coach