Leo Austria credited his time away from coaching after steering San Miguel back to the Promised Land by conquering the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
The four-time Coach of the Year made use of the time away from the sidelines when he was appointed as an active consultant for Jorge Gallent back in 2023 by learning from some of the world’s best and brightest in the game.
“I’m so fortunate at the time na hindi ako involved sa team, because it was the World Cup season eh, na ginawa rito,” he shared on the heels of their 107-96 victory over TNT in the Finals’ Game 6 at the Philsports Arena, Friday night.
Austria was referring to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which the Philippines co-hosted with Japan and Indonesia to mark the first time that basketball’s most prestigious event was held in different countries.
The former cager turned mentor watched most of the games live, not only to enjoy the elite-level action it brought but to pick up lessons as well.
“I was able to watch most of the games — nasa MoA ako, Araneta to figure out what’s really happening in basketball internationally. And I picked up a lot of things,” said the 67-year-old, who’s been coaching since 1998.
(C) PBA Images
Austria then went on to apply those learnings to San Miguel the moment he was thrust back into his old role during the SMC Christmas party last December, swapping positions with one of his long-time deputies in Gallent.
“That’s the reason why, if you noticed, our defense is different from the past. In-apply ko ‘yun sa team namin. I kept on watching the games and the tendencies of the players, the coaches. It helped a lot,” he reflected.
“That’s why itong mga players, pagbalik ko as head coach, nanibago sila. From Day 1, talagang we went back to the basics — from 1-on-1 to 5-on-5, both on offense and defense. And I was able to define the roles of each and everyone.”
Seven months later and the Beermen found themselves reaching the pinnacle of success again, spoiling the Tropang 5G’s Grand Slam hopes to write their own redemption story by regaining the title they lost to Meralco last season.
In the process, Austria nabbed his 10th championship, and also broke a tie with Chot Reyes for the most number of Philippine Cup crowns won, 7-6.
“Napakahirap isipin na nakuha ko itong 10th championship ko, na I thought na hindi na mapupunta sa’kin, for the reason na there are a lot of teams really working hard and leveling up, getting their teams really strong,” he said.
Fans and critics alike have given Austria credit for building back SMB to the championship-winning team it has always been known for, but he refuses to take all of it, saying that none of that would be possible without his players.
“Katulad ng lagi kong sinasabi, I will not become a good coach if the players will not work hard, and utang ko sa kanila ito,” he offered.
He felt even happier as a mentor when he saw his wards turn the frustrations of Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup — in which the Beermen missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015 — into fuel for their Philippine Cup campaign.
“I think that situation gave us a lot of interest to play really hard in this conference because this is the All-Filipino Conference,” said Austria.
“I’m happy for these players, talagang nag-step up and they realized na this is our conference,” the Philippine Cup ‘five-peat’ architect added.
