SAN Miguel coach Leo Austria said he will be sticking with a short rotation – a tried and tested formula during his career that was also contentious to some fans of the ballclub.
Austria said he is still in the process of figuring out the players who will be part of the rotation during his first few games of his return as head coach with the Beermen that began on Friday when they went up against Terrafirma.
READ: Clearer roles, rotation hoped for in SMB coaching change
“The worst thing is lahat sila bigyan mo ng time, masaya sila maglaro pero malungkot kami dahil talo,” said Austria, who switched places with now-team consultant Jorge Gallent on Friday.
“Before, they are criticizing me na coach Leo is only using eight, nine-player rotation. But that’s the way eh,” said Austria, obviously aware of the sentiments about his coaching. “I have nothing against those players. But that’s my way (on) how to win a championship. And proven na ‘yun.”
Austria said he went deep in the bench during the game against Terrafirma as part of the process of determining the players who will have a major part of the rotation.
San Miguel will resume its Commissioner’s Cup stint on Sunday against Blackwater where he will continue to assess the line-up.
The four-time PBA Coach of the Year said he will eventually shorten his rotation when he figures out the right mix, although difficult decisions will have to be made as far as who among the players in the star-studded line-up will get the bulk of the minutes moving forward.
“Marami akong ginamit (against Terrafirma). Malungkot din ako na there are players na working hard in practice. Pero that’s the way it is. Working hard in practice, you are helping the team to upgrade the level of competition,” said Austria.
“There’s a lot of players especially ‘yung addition ni Juami Tiongson at Cahilig, and some players na gustong magpakita like sila Rosales. It will take some time,” said Austria.
Austria admitted his past San Miguel teams didn’t have similar challenges since there were players on his previous squads that were role players.
“Sabi ko, that’s the hardest thing to do, how to develop a winning attitude. You understand the players. When they are inside at a given time, kapag may points ka, iba rin ‘yung dating mo. Unlike before, ‘yung team na dinevelop namin noon, we have a lot of role players. Hindi sila nagko-complain. Paano sila magko-complain kung nananalo,” said Austria.
Two years removed from his first stint as SMB coach ended, Austria said he doesn’t plan to change his ways as far as shortening his rotation which he hopes the players also understand.
“I have to communicate to them more often dahil the players are different, they want playing time. That’s the only way na paamuhin mo sila, bigyan ng playing time. But there is no equal opportunity eh," he shared.
"There’s only 240 minutes divided by 14 (players). Hindi puwedeng 20 minutes each player. It will take some time kung ano talaga ‘yung nasa rotation."
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