COACH Leo Austria likes the fact San Miguel will go into the PBA restart already carrying a 1-0 record.
But there’s a lot of work to be done for the reigning five-time Philippine Cup champions especially in a set-up that’s entirely new to them and the rest of the field.
“Thankful siyempre dahil kahit paano may puhunan na tayo,” said the four-time Coach of the Year as the Beermen officially had their first day of scrimmage on Friday at the Angeles University Foundation.
“Lahat ng teams back to square one. Kaya level ang playing field,” he said. “And with the long break, depende na siguro sa teams on how they will be able to quickly get back in shape.”
The Beermen won the only game played this season, 94-78, at the expense of the Magnolia Hotshots last March 8 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, the San Miguel coach said the Beermen have remained in physical condition in the six months PBA teams were left idle. But the question begging to be answered is on how long before the team can get into game shape.
“Lahat naman sila nasa kundisyon. Ang hindi natin alam if whether they are in game shape,” he said.
That's the reason why the start of scrimmages three days after the Clark bubble was opened, was a welcome development for the Beermen and the rest of the teams.
“Malaking bagay talaga yung scrimmages. It’s the first time we’ve done 5-on-5 since March kaya halos lahat excited na makabalik sa court,” said the 62-year-old native of Sariaya, Quezon.
San Miguel won’t be having two key players from last year’s All-Filipino conference champion team in five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and Matt Ganuelas Rosser.
While the Beermen will surely miss their services, Austria believes the team can find a way for San Miguel to overcome adversity.
That has been their story the five seasons in their reign as Philippine Cup champions.
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