Secret: Austria says on how to stop JMF

CANDON CITY, Philippines — Battling a team led by South skipper June Mar Fajardo in tonight’s PBA All-Star Game makes North coach Leo Austria reminisce about the only time they faced off before teaming up at San Miguel Beer.

“Nakalaban ko siya noong college siya, Adamson ako, University of Cebu siya,” Austria said ahead of the mid-season extravaganza slated around 7:30 p.m. at the Candon City Arena. “Sila ang host sa Cebu, dapat talo sila amin pero na penalty kami at natalo.”

Austria fondly recalled his first impression of the future PBA nine-time MVP, with whom he would share 11 championships.

“Pag rebound niyan, pak, bato agad, pag tinatrap ko sila, siya nagbaba ng bola kaya alam ko magaling mag-dribble yan tapos may shooting,” said the multi-titled coach, who first worked with JMF when he was the assistant coach at SMB in the Asean Basketball League before bringing the partnership over to Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

When it was announced they would be on opposite sides in the revived North-versus-South ASG, the SMB coach received pretty much the same questions.

“Lagi akong tinatanong, paano mo dedepensahan si June Mar? Sabi ko ‘secret, baka malaman niyo, gamitin niyo sa amin,” he shared with a hearty laugh.

CJ Perez and Don Trollano join their San Miguel coach in the duel with the JMF-led and Chot Reyes-coached South, along with Japeth Aguilar, Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, Chris Newsome and Calvin Abueva, among others.

Fajardo and Reyes go to the duel with a depleted cast of nine led by Robert Bolick and TNT duo Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac.

The ASG serves as the culminating activity of the four-day festivities here.

Friday night, Ilocano fans got a treat from the league’s young guns during the Blitz Game.