San Miguel broke the hearts of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday night.
But for San Miguel head coach Leo Austria, the Elasto Painters should not be ashamed of themselves.
“I knew from the start this will not be easy for us.
“I know we won two in a row in the first two games, but Rain or Shine has nothing to be ashamed of because they gave us a really good fight,” said the decorated bench strategist.
And if Austria is particularly proud of anyone, it’s Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia.
Likely unbeknownst to many, the two go way back. Austria and Garcia spent some time together with Welcoat Paints in the now-defunct Philippine Basketball League in the early 2000s until the team’s first foray in the PBA in 2006.
Their partnership would end in 2008 when Austria resigned from his head coaching position, paving the way for the much younger Garcia to become the interim head coach and eventually the team’s official chief tactician.
It has been over a decade since they last worked together, and Austria is proud of how Garcia has developed.
“He grew up to be a really good coach. Since 2000 magkasama kami sa amateurs, and until 2008 sa Welcoat. Nagkahiwalay kami for the betterment of our careers,” recalled Austria, who currently has seven PBA championships.
“Coach Caloy, wala kang dapat ikahiya dahil ginawa mo ang dapat mong gawin sa team. I’m proud of you.“
When Garcia learned what Austria – whom he considers a mentor – said about him, he was incredibly grateful.
“Actually coach Leo was my first mentor. I wouldn’t be a coach if it wasn’t for coach Leo. He gave me the opportunity to be his assistant. He thought me lots of things,” said Garcia, who has been coaching since 2002.
“Kaya siguro feeling ko when we went into the series, may edge ako sana sa kanya because I know probably how he moves, the way he sets plays,” Garcia furthered. “Pero yun talaga, ang lakas ng lineup nila.
“We did a good job, we did the game plan right, but at the end, they’re the better team.”
