Nothing will ever change.
That’s what Leo Austria offered regarding his relationship with Arwind Santos as the two faced each other Sunday, when San Miguel and NorthPort battled it out in 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup action at the Ynares Sports Arena.
It was their first meeting since the former league MVP got traded to the Batang Pier in exchange for Vic Manuel in a one-for-one deal last November, which ended his stay with the ball club he helped win a total of nine titles.
“Before the start of the game, we met at the holding area for the swab, sinabi nga ni Arwind e, ‘Coach, ang nangyari lang e iba na yung uniform ko ngayon.’ We’ll still be friends,” the four-time Coach of the Year said.
But like any other game, one has to reign victorious. And that was Austria and the Beermen, taking a 91-88 win to finally break through after starting the season-ending conference with losses to NLEX and Alaska.
“It’s fun, ano,” he said of meeting Santos.
While it surely wasn’t fun for the 40-year-old forward and NorthPort since the defeat extended their winless spell to three, Austria is happy to see his former player thrive with his new team with consistent showings.
Against the Beermen, Santos tallied 23 points and 11 rebounds. He was also part of the unit that sparked NorthPort’s comeback, which allowed them to knock within three points after being down by as much as 27 in the third.
It was his third straight 20-point performance.
“I’m happy for him dahil it seems na nage-enjoy siya sa game niya dun sa NorthPort,” said Austria, who won all of his eight PBA championships with Santos.
“Sabi ko nga before, nagbe-benefit sa kanya ang NorthPort.”
