Lauro Mumar

Lauro "The Fox" Mumar (March 6, 1924 – December 20, 1990) was a Filipino basketball 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.

Career Early years In 1946, he led the San Carlos College of Cebu City to the first post-war Inter-Collegiate basketball championship. He later moved to Manila to play for the varsity team of Letran College where he led the squad nicknamed "Murder Inc." to the 1950 NCAA Philippines championship title.

Mumar also led the Manila Ports Terminal that won the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) championship. He later went on to represent the country in the 1951 and 1954 Asian Games

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.

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 He was later named head coach of the Indian national team.

In 2005, he was inducted into the Philippine Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame alongside his teammate Carlos Loyzaga.

Personal life Mumar was married to Melly Reyes. they had five children, including Lawrence who also became a basketball player.

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 Philippine National Basketball Hall of Fame