THE winning habit—and feeling—simply never waned for San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.
Even during a brief relegation as team consultant, Austria knew how to steer the Beermen to the Promised Land.
They did that anew after SMB essayed a 107-96 victory over grand slam-seeking TNT in Game 6 of their best-of-7 title battle in the PBA Philippine Cup on a cold and rainy Friday night.
“Napakahirap isipin na nakuha ko itong 10th championship ko. I thought na hindi na mapupunta sa akin because a lot of teams are really working hard and then leveling up, getting their team really strong. But we are fortunate and we’re able to get this 10th championship. Actually, this is our seventh championship in an All-Filipino conference without a loss,” Austria said. “In the past few conferences, we’re struggling, especially in the last Commissioner’s Cup. We’re not able to make it to the playoffs and I think that situation gives us a lot of interest to play really hard at this conference because this is an All-Filipino conference.
“I’m happy for those players talagang nag-step up and they realized na this is our conference,” he added.
Boosted by finals MVP Jericho Cruz, reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Rodney Brondial, Chris Ross, and Marcio Lassiter, the Beermen wrapped up the race-to-4 series 4-2 for their 30th diadem overall and slammed the Triple Crown dreams of the injury-plagued Tropang 5G.
Austria, who bagged his 10th ring at the helm of SMB and seventh in the import-less tilt, gave the ultimate credit to his charges and to San Miguel Corporation chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang and sports director Alfrancis Chua.
“Of course, with the support of management, especially boss Ramon Ang. Before the semifinals, he talked to me and said, “Coach, we want to win a championship. And I said, “I will do my best, boss,” but I expected that these players will really want to win and that’s what happened,” Austria said.
“Coach Alfrancis Chua was really very supportive dito sa series namin. From Game 1 up to Game 6, he’s with us and gave words of wisdom.
Calling the shots and leading the star-studded Beermen to the top has always been the cup of tea of Austria, 67.
He did it nine times previously with the so-called “Death Five” of Fajardo, Ross, Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, and Arwind Santos.
With Santos and Cabagnot gone, the proud son of Sariaya, Quezon had to inculcate his system to new players Juami Tiongson, Andreas Cahilig, Jeron Teng, and Kris Rosales.
With Austria’s former Adamson University trio of Cruz, Brondial, and Don Trollano also reuniting with him, the result proved to be a sweet ending.
“I keep on telling them that every player has a role and then I was able to define to them those roles before the start of this conference,” he said. “We have ample time to figure out what is really needed this conference. Pasasasalamatan ko ulit iyong confidence na ibinigay sa akin ni boss RSA. Boss, maraming, maraming salamat. Utang ko lahat sa inyo ito.
“As long as the team is winning, so there’s no problem with them. But there’s an opportunity for them to play. Ibinibigay iyong quality minutes, and that’s why we’re here in the championship and winning this All-Filipino championship.
