Ever since he took over the San Miguel Beermen in 2014, Leo Austria has helped create harmony within the stacked squad. The superstar-laden team headed by Arwind Santos, June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross has learned to set aside their egos and create beautiful symphony on the court. And it has led to five championships and counting.
But Tuesday evening, it was Austria who now needed his players.
A day prior to their quarterfinals showdown with the TNT Katropa, Austria’s wife Anna had an emergency kidney surgery.
“I never had sleep last night because of my wife. She’s undergone a kidney transplant,” disclosed Austria, who was trying to fight off tears.
“I never had a problem for so long, but this time I’m so thankful to God.”
Arwind Santos knew the pain of seeing a loved one ailing, as his mother had been rushed to the hospital while she was watching her son play back in March of 2015.
“Siyempre meron ding epekto, pero at the same time, ginagawa namin siyang inspirasyon. Dahil hindi lang naman siya ang nalugar sa ganyang sitwasyon, pati ako dumaan na rin sa sitwasyon na ‘yan,” Santos shared. “Kailangan lang namin lakasan ang kalooban namin. Hindi naman kasi namin mako-control kung ano nangyayari sa mundo, sa atin. Kapag may nangyari, wala kang ibang choice kun’di magdasal na lang, and kung meron kang trabaho kagaya ng ganito, naisabay itong quarterfinals, kailangan makapag-focus pa rin kami.
“Hindi dapat maapektuhan hangga’t maari ‘yung paglalaro namin sa mga ganoong situwasyon.”
Seeing their mentor not his usual, upbeat self, the Beermen played inspired basketball. Reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo provided the spark, scoring 22 of his 35 points in the first half. Marcio Lassiter picked up the slack in the third frame, while Santos closed out the contest. All the while, Chris Ross was the glue of the squad.
And the Beermen were able to pick up a 106-93 win to advance to the Philippine Cup semifinals.
“Malungkot siya kasi yung asawa niya inoperahan. Hindi yun ganoong kadali para sa kanya,” said a downcast Fajardo, who added 11 rebounds and two blocks to his tally.
“He was emotional in the locker room as well, and we kinda just gave him a big hug and let him know that we’re there for him,” added Ross, who chipped in 13 points to go along with seven assists and three steals.
“Although some of us, we really don’t know what he’s going through because we haven’t been in this situation, but we know that for Coach Leo to show emotions like that, it’s really eating at him.”
Moving forward, the Beermen plan to continue playing inspired basketball in hopes of winning their fourth straight Phillipine Cup trophy. For them, this is their way of giving back to their mentor and his family.
“Luckily we’re able to go out there and play hard and get the win for him. Going forward we’ll be playing for him and his family as well,” expressed Ross.
“Alam namin, mahal natin sa buhay ‘yung mga pinagdarasal natin kagaya ng asawa ni Coach Leo. Ayun, sinusuklian na lang namin sa game na, kahit paano, mabigyan namin siya ng saya, ma-lift up namin ‘yung sarili niya na ‘wag ma-down masyado,” closed Santos.
“Kaya, ang maganda neto, papunta kami sa goal namin, may ganyan kaming inspirasyon. Naniniwala akong mas mahirap kaming talunin kapag ganyan.”
