MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria said the other day he’s looking forward to the luxury of a nine-day rest waiting for the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals to start but to seal it, the Beermen need to win at least one of two games left in their eliminations schedule against Talk ‘N’ Text tonight and Blackwater on Tuesday.
At the moment, San Miguel is on top of the standings with an 8-1 record but breathing down its neck are Alaska at 8-2, Rain Or Shine at 7-2 and the Texters at 7-3. The Aces and Elasto Painters face off in the first game of today’s twinbill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Either Alaska improves to 9-2 or Rain Or Shine jumps to 8-2 with a game against Barangay Ginebra remaining on Sunday. If San Miguel loses tonight, the Beermen drop to 8-2 and Talk ‘N’ Text moves up to 8-3. San Miguel will clinch a semifinals ticket with a win over the Texters tonight or Blackwater on Tuesday. Talk ‘N’ Text is on a hot streak, winning six of its last seven outings.
Austria, 56, is in his first year coaching San Miguel in the PBA after previous stints with Shell and Welcoat. He won three championships in the PBL and led San Miguel to the ABL crown last year. Austria is chasing his first PBA title.
“We could really use the nine-day rest if we make it to the semifinals outright,” said Austria. “That will give Marcio (Lassiter) a chance to fully recover. He went down with shingles, had rashes and was told to rest at home. In the PBA today, every team is competitive, even Kia and Blackwater are tough. Every team is capable of winning. So you’ve got to be prepared. Talk ‘N’ Text, Purefoods, Alaska, Rain Or Shine and Ginebra are contenders for sure. I’ve always felt that to build a solid team, you need a dominant center like JunMar (Fajardo), a dominant point guard and a great shooter. Basketball is all about chemistry. There’s only one ball so you can’t afford your players to make ‘agawan.’ The coach has to define the role of every player so there is no confusion. I think a team with too many stars will find it difficult to succeed because of the chemistry factor. It’s important for a coach to gain the respect of his players. Without that respect, you can’t expect the players to execute what you want on the court. Everyone has to be on the same page.”
Austria said coaching is no joke. “After a game, I think I’m more exhausted than the players,” he said. “I’ve coached in every possible league, maybe except in the MBA. I’ve coached undeveloped teams. I took over Adamson which was in the cellar and took it to the Final 4 after 14 years with my player Ken Bono as the UAAP MVP. I think there are only two kinds of coaches – the one who has been fired and the other about to be fired. To succeed, you must be passionate about coaching and you must be patient and capable. Experience is a big advantage. Everybody has a dream but you work hard to achieve it, you never give up. You don’t lie down or sit and expect to succeed.”
Austria said playing a popular team like Ginebra brings out the best in everyone. “I’m always excited to play Ginebra because I know a lot of fans will be watching,” he said. “You always prepare to play your best against Ginebra. But that goes for every team in the PBA. You go out there ready to give your 100 percent, no matter who your opponent is.”
Austria said Ron Jacobs was the biggest influence in his coaching career. “I learned my basketball from coach Ron, the fundamentals of offense and defense, 1-on-1 and 5-on-5,” he said. “Coach Ron taught me the value of discipline. My passion for coaching comes from my passion to teach. Coaching in the PBA is always up and down so to survive, you must be determined, disciplined and passionate about your job.”
Austria said if he didn’t become a coach, he would’ve stayed in his hometown of Sariaya, Quezon. “As a boy, I used to go to the barrio with my father who was a farmer working the ricefields and coconut plantations,” he said. “I will never forget where I came from. If not for basketball, I would’ve been a farmer or a construction worker. Luckily, I learned how to play early and was brought to Manila. I played for Lyceum and when I was with the Masagana 99 team, our manager Ding Panganiban brought me to coach Ron.”
In 1982, Austria was on the Philippine squad that Jacobs piloted to the Asian Youth title. His teammates were Jong Uichico, Hector Calma, Derick Pumaren, Elmer Reyes, Teddy Alfarero, Tonichi Yturri, Alfie Almario, Jun Tan, Louie Brill, Rey Cuenco and Richard Mendoza. In the championship game, Austria had five points and four rebounds in 15 minutes as the Philippines beat China, 74-63, before a sellout crowd at the Big Dome. Austria went on to play in the PBA, bagging Rookie of the Year honors with Shell in 1985. He saw action in 394 games over nine seasons and retired with Pepsi in 1993.
“There will always be high expectations for San Miguel to win because of the championship tradition,” said Austria. “San Miguel also has a reputation for excellence as a company so we want to uphold that tradition of excellence on the court. It’s a challenge for me to do my best for San Miguel.”