LEO Austria returns to the PBA finals for the first time since coming back from his position as head coach of San Miguel.
After eight years as head coach of the Beermen, Austria slid to a role as consultant in January 2023, with Jorge Gallent taking over the position. At that time, Austria, based from statements made by the team at that time, temporarily left coaching for personal reasons.
After two years, Austria came back on December 2024 with San Miguel starting with a 1-2 record in the Commissioner’s Cup. The Beermen were eventually ousted from the playoffs that conference.
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Now in his first full conference with the Beermen, Austria got back to the finals where he captured nine crowns in his first stint as head coach including five straight titles in the Philippine Cup.
Though he remained with the team for two years as consultant, Austria said the break from the head coaching ranks was a good reset for him, while also learning new things from his team from a different perspective.
“I’m so happy to be back as the head coach. At that time, I’m still involved. I’m running the system of San Miguel before. I think it helped a lot. I realized something na I didn’t know when I was running the team.”
While he enjoyed a lot of success in his first stint, Austria also said the years of coaching was also stressful for him, hinting that his health got affected by it.
“It’s a good help especially I was able to recharge and recover for my health, although I never got sick. It’s really hard… It really took its toll. I’m so grateful na it happened for me that I’m back as the head coach,” said Austria.
With him at the helm, San Miguel topped the elimination round, and ousted Meralco, the same team that they lost to for the 2024 Philippine Cup title. The Beermen then overcame Barangay Ginebra, the runner-ups from the last two conferences, overcoming the Gin Kings in Game 7.
Now, Austria is gunning for his 10th PBA crown and his first since he came back from coaching with their Philippine Cup finals match-up against TNT starting on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Austria is determined to bring San Miguel back to the top of the PBA in his second foray as head coach. It will take the effort of the entire squad to beat TNT, a squad that is now going for a Grand Slam.
“I thank the management especially Coach Al (Chua) and Boss RSA (Ramon Ang) for trusting me. I don’t want this opportunity to be put into waste," he said.
"We are so happy we are back in the finals which a lot of people think that it’s our conference. But it takes hardwork from everyone. They work really hard in the last four months."
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