For coach Leo Austria, it’s all about keeping the San Miguel Beermen’s winning tradition alive, especially in the All-Filipino setting.
The Beermen, the winningest franchise in league history, have been the reigning Philippine Cup champions for the last three years. And they do not have any plans of stopping, as they now look forward to extending it to four.
If San Miguel do achieve this feat, they will book their place in the league’s history once again as the first-ever team to do so.
“Kung papalarin kami it’s the first time na mananalo ang isang koponan sa PBA nang apat na sunod-sunod na All-Filipino,” said Austria Wednesday, during the 2018 Philippine Cup Finals press conference in Sambokojin-Eastwood.
“Kanina may nagtatanong nga kung destiny or dynasty. Ang sabi ko, it’s tradition — sana maging tradition na namin na kami lagi ang nanalo sa All-Filipino.”
It will not be an easy task to fulfill, however, since standing in their way are the depleted yet dangerous Magnolia Hotshots, who are still fresh from a grueling six-game semis affair with the NLEX Road Warriors.
Looking back on their eliminations match-up last February 4, the Beermen had to come back to beat the Hotshots, 77-76. And that is one of the reasons why the veteran bench strategist is wary of their Finals opponents.
“Tinalo namin yung Magnolia by a point. That’s a come-from-behind pa yun,” reflected Austria. “And alam ko na yung Magnolia is really a contender dahil nitong past three conferences last year, they’re always in the semifinals.
“And we faced in the semifinals (2017 Commissioner’s Cup) and we’re having a hard time to beat them [back then].”
Despite the challenge infront of them, Austria keeps his faith firm, believing that his proven and tested players — especially the best starting five in the league right now — has more than enough to reign victorious.
“We keep on winning because of the sacrifices of these players. Kung titingnan mo ang line-up ng ibang teams, it’s equally talented and equally strong. It’s a matter of how you develop your team to have a winning attitude,” the reigning Coach of the Year expressed. “I think yun ang difference sa team na ito becaus ang winning attitude nila especially when we’re facing a tough team.
“Ang pride nila is always prevailing so they keep on winning.”
