SAN Miguel coach Leo Austria was holding court before sportswriters at the end of Game Six against TNT on Sunday night, moments after he preserved an undefeated record with San Miguel in a PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
Austria being Austria, he was about to deflect the credit again - just like he did in the trophy ceremony when he thanked the players for 'making me look good again' - when SMB superstar June Mar Fajardo, who was seated nest to his coach, butted in.
READ Austria thanks his players: 'Nagmukha na naman akong magaling'
Fajardo won't let him.
“Magaling talaga si Coach Leo,” said the nine-time PBA season MVP and the newly minted Finals MVP. “Isa siya sa pinakamagaling na coaches sa PBA. Hindi lang siya nabibigyan ng masyadong credit. Sobrang humble niya.”
“Ako na magsasabi sa inyo, magaling si coach. Siya ‘yung dahilan kung bakit laging nananalo ng championship ang San Miguel,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo has the records to prove it. Austria won no less than eight Philippine Cup titles over the last 11 seasons and the only time that the all-Filipino championship escaped the Beermen's grasp was in 2024, when the coaching reins were handed to Jorge Gallent.
After their 92-77 win over TNT in Game Six to clinch their second straight title in the Philippine Cup, Austria gave credit the players for bringing them to the championship once again, saying, “Nagmukha na naman akong magaling.”
San Miguel team governor Robert Non, however, said Austria should be considered as one of the best coaches in the PBA, citing the coach's 11 league championships - the same total as Chot Reyes and Norman Black - as proof.
Fajardo agreed.
When asked to elaborate about what makes Austria tick, Fajardo said one of the coach's best qualities is that he doesn’t get in the way of the players, letting them showcase their game while playing under a system.
“Pinapabayaan niya ‘yung mga players na maglaro. Nailalabas ng mga players ‘yung laro nila. Composed siya,” said Fajardo said.
Fajardo added that Austria may be soft-spoken and calm during games, but swears he is a drillmaster in practice, which eventually translates into success during games.
“Nag-iistart ‘yun sa practice at nadidisiplina niya,” Fajardo said.
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