Leo Austria finally saw his wish granted following San Miguel’s golden finish in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday night.
The Beermen consultant couldn’t feel any happier to have tasted sweet success with some of his Adamson University players, at last – something that they were not able to accomplish together during their time in the collegiate ranks.
“‘Yan ‘yung fulfillment na nararamdaman ko ngayon,” he said after SMB’s 104-102 win over Magnolia in the Finals’ Game 6 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Austria had already won a PBA title with Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial after San Miguel’s conquest of the 2022 Philippine Cup.
However, their most recent title run was their first with another Soaring Falcon in Don Trollano.
Trollano became a Beerman through a multi-team trade last December, forming a reunion with his ‘brothers’ – whom he played with for two UAAP seasons – and subsequently rekindling their dreams of winning a championship together.
“Kasi going back sa Adamson days namin, hindi kami nanalo,” he said in a past interview. “Ngayon, pinag-uusapan namin siya sa practice na this is the best chance to win a championship na magkakasama kami.”
They finally did it on Wednesday night, when they helped the PBA’s winningest franchise win its second title in four conferences – its 29th overall.
It should wipe out all the heartbreaks and disappointments they suffered during their Adamson days. But Austria offered that those experiences had actually helped a great deal to the success they are now enjoying together.
“Talagang ganun ang buhay dahil those things [tulad ng UAAP] Final Four, gave us a lot of experience na dala-dala nila rito,” he said. “Dahil alam nila kung paano manalo. The hardest thing in basketball is to develop the winning habit.”
Like a proud father, the four-time PBA Coach of the Year feels extremely blessed to see his ‘sons’ achieve glory side by side – and with him, of course.
“Before kami mag-start sa Adamson, sinabi ko sa kanila ipe-prepare ko na [sila] sa PBA. What more kung nananalo ng championship kasama ako?
“I know na ‘yung feeling nila, talagang napakasarap,” Austria said. “Ang tingin nila sa akin parang second father eh. And I’m so happy for them.”
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