SAN Miguel coach Leo Austria moved up the all-time list after winning his 11th career PBA title on Sunday following the Beermen's win over TNT in the 50th Season Philippine Cup Finals.
Austria led the Beermen to a 92-77 win over TNT in Game Six, giving the team its second successive Philippine Cup championship, its eighth in the conference over the last 11 seasons and an all-time high 31st league title overall.
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On the other hand, Austria tied TNT coach Chot Reyes and Norman Black for joint third on the coaches list of most championships won - four behind Baby Dalupan who has the second most after Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone's record 25.
Austria, however, deflected the credit to the players for bringing San Miguel to another championship.
“Ang bida dito ‘yung mga players,” said Austria during his speech after claiming Game Six. “Dahil sa kanila, nagmukha na naman akong magaling.”
Austria repeated the same statement he first made during the 2019 Philippine Cup Finals when the Beermen defeated Magnolia as fans and the media credited SMB's success more to the players than the coach.
San Miguel team governor Robert Non said that it’s time for Austria to get the credit that he deserved.
“Si Coach Leo ang tinuturing kong one of the top PBA coaches in the PBA. Ewan ko kung bakit hindi nasa-cite. 11 championships na ito. Siguro tabla na sila ni Coach Chot,” said Non, his statement met by cheers from fans.
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