While preparing for the Ateneo women's basketball team's stint in UAAP Season 88, Blue Eagles head coach LA Mumar plays a supporting role for his younger brother Vico Sotto.
On the court, coach LA Mumar is the undisputed lead for the Ateneo women's basketball team, especially with UAAP Season 88 starting later this month.
Off the court, he is an unwavering teammate and support for his younger brother, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto.
Growing up together with their mother Connie Reyes, Mumar and Sotto have formed a great bond that has transcended time and the distance between their two worlds—sports and politics.
Now with his younger brother in the center of national issue involving flood control project anomalies, Mumar said that he continues to keep tabs on the mayor.
Coach makes sure that the younger Sotto has ample time to rest and recuperate, especially with family during dinners and bonding moments.
“We’re both busy. Well, he’s busier. Ako [sa] UAAP, he’s [concerned with] politics and governance. But we’re brothers — we grew up together, we text each other,” Mumar told One Sports during the UAAP Season 88 Content Day.
“I was just texting him this morning, texting [bible] verses, kamustahan. So we’re here for each other, and every so often, we have dinner at my mom’s house. So we catch up there,” he added.
The siblings always had this steady discipline, not just in governance but also in every day moments.
Back in 2021, when lining up for the COVID-19 vaccine was in the public consciousness, Mumar was asked why he and his wife didn't get the injection yet... even though his brother was mayor.
"My mom didn't skip the line, Vico didn't skip the line. Why would I?" he posted.
Family is Everything
Mumar also recalled that Sotto often spends time with his children. As a bachelor, Sotto doesn’t have much to support him on his own.
“He also uses my family, my kids, my three kids na pang-unwind din niya pag sa mga stress na ganyan,” Mumar said.
As things continue to unfold on the daily in terms of Sotto and the issues surrounding flood control funding, Mumar is staying steadfast and will continue to be there for his younger brother in any way that he can.
“We’re praying for one another, encouraging one another. We’ll see what God does sa kanya,” he said.
Still, Mumar said that Sotto will always find time to support his other family: the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
With Kacey Dela Rosa and company aiming to finish better than they did in their run to the Final Four in UAAP Season 87, Mumar expects his brother to show up for him and his players.
“Yeah, of course. If you follow the Blue Eagles, he always [watches] at least two games. He’s going to be there or else the kuya will get mad,” he quipped.
In UAAP, the phrase "band of brothers" is more than just a really good HBO TV series. It's more than Shakespeare.
In Ateneo, "band of brothers" is a mindset initiated by coach Tab Baldwin for the men's basketball team to emphasize unwavering teamwork and support for each other.
For Mumar and Sotto, it's real life.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.