WINNING, indeed, makes you smell good.
And for San Miguel coach Leo Austria, that sweet smell of success has brought him back to his old stomping grounds in San Marcelino.
READ: By reinventing himself, coach Leo Austria rises from the ashes
Austria, together with players Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, and Rodney Brondial, were hosted by the Adamson University Alumni Association Inc. to a simple dinner weeks back after helping the Beermen capture the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
"First time ito," said the decorated SMB mentor who previously coached the Soaring Falcons for seven seasons.
It's 12 years in the making, really, for Austria who left his Adamson post in 2013 - so much so he has to remark he's no longer as popular and compared it to a perfume scent wearing off.
"Before, I was like Paco Rabanne, ang bango-bango ko. Every now and then, there’s an invitation, but now, no," he said. "I can sense it. I’m not popular with them anymore. Every time we play, I can see that they’re against me. It’s not healthy for the team."
Austria experienced a tough end to his stint with the Soaring Falcons, one which started in 2006 when he replaced Mel Alas before immediately bringing the team to the Final Four. He briefly left the following year to coach newcomer Welcoat in the PBA, but returned in 2008 when he steered the feisty side to two more Final Four appearances.
As tough as those last two seasons were for Austria, that was also when the likes of Cruz, Trollano, and Brondial played under him.
He also understood the circumstances of why those things happened back then.
"Siyempre, not all people will like you naman, at mahirap yun kasi hindi kami masyado nananalo. But what can't be denied is how we've done our part to help our players sa Adamson, na hindi lang yung sa team namin, but even sa women's basketball and even volleyball," he said.
"Actually kahit ngayon ang tawag sa akin ng players na yun is dad, nagme-message minsan na gusto nila manood at humihingi ng tickets."
All love from Adamson
But Austria insisted that there's no bad blood and he's just happy that he, along with his players, are being honored and celebrated in their old home.
"Ganoon naman talaga. Hindi na matatanggal sa amin yung naging part kami ng Adamson at nakakatuwa lang na proud pa rin sila sa amin," said the 10-time PBA champion coach.
As for the perfume he wears, Austria said that since then, he's "upgraded" to more than Paco Rabanne.
"Tom Ford na ako," he said chuckling.
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