ASIDE from the championships, San Miguel consultant Leo Austria is glad that his former Adamson players are enjoying tremendous success in their pro careers
Austria said he's very happy to see Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, and Rodney Brondial develop into excellent PBA players. The four found a way to reunite in the Beermen camp and win a championship together in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
READ Don Trollano recalls being recruited by Leo Austria for Adamson
The latest former Soaring Falcon to win a championship was Trollano, who was acquired in a mid-conference trade with NLEX.
Austria said all he wanted for his three former players was for them to make it to the PBA, and chart their own path once they get there. Winning a championship together is already a bonus, he added.
“’Yan ‘yung fulfillment na nararamdaman ko,” said Austria. “Before kami mag-start sa Adamson, sinabi ko lang sa kanila na ipe-prepare ko sila sa PBA. What more na nanalo sila ng championship kasama ako. I know na ‘yung feeling nila eh napakasarap. Tingin nila sa akin is parang second father. I’m so happy for them.”
The four formed the Adamson core in 2012 and 2013, although their presence didn’t result in a Final Four appearance for the San Marcelino school.
Cruz and Trollano were transferees from Rizal Technological University and University of the East, respectively. Brondial, meanwhile, was spotted by Austria in an inter-barangay tournament in Quezon City and brought to Adamson.
After his stint with Adamson, Austria won nine championships with the Beermen including the 2022 Philippine Cup where he was reunited with Cruz and Brondial. Austria was later relegated to an active consultant role as Jorge Gallent was given the reins.
Austria said he doesn’t regret not winning championships for the Falcons with the core of Cruz, Trollano, and Brondial, saying those lean years also helped them develop into good players.
“Talagang ganun ang buhay. It gave us a lot of experience na nalalaman nila kung paano manalo at paano ma-develop ‘yung winning habit,” said Austria.
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