AS LEO Austria shoots for another PBA crown as San Miguel head coach in the 50th Season Philippine Cup, his sons have started to take on this same career path.
Bacon has recently took on his first head coaching job in a major program when he was appointed to head the Ateneo boys basketball team in the UAAP.
READ: SMB withstands Ginebra comeback, seals PBA Finals rematch vs TNT
Bacon’s younger brother Ged, on the other hand, has been an assistant coach of Haydee Ong at the University of Santo Tomas women’s basketball team for a couple of seasons already.
Ged also coaches the UST squad in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL).
Coach Leo is one proud father.
“He is so dedicated with his job,” said Coach Leo of Bacon. “Minsan, magkasabay pa kami nagtatrabaho. May sari-sariling (puwesto).
“’Yung bunsong anak ko, ganun din. Nasa UST. They are doing well. I’m so happy for them,” said Austria of Ged.
The Austrias have been enjoying success early in their coaching careers.
Bacon was also recently part of the coaching staff of Gilas Pilipinas under head coach Norman Black in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, with the team winning the gold despite the odds.
As of this writing, Bacon has a 2-0 record, and is one of the two remaining unbeaten teams in the Season 88 basketball tournament.
Ged, on the other hand, has won two of the last three championships in the UAAP with the Tigresses.
For the coming PBA Philippine Cup finals, Austria will be gunning for his 11th PBA title when San Miguel goes up against TNT in a rematch of last season’s championship series.
The 67-year-old Austria said he never forced his sons to enter the coaching ranks, but may have indirectly influenced them to do such because he has been into the profession for a long time after his playing career ended.
“They are on their own. Hindi ako nakikialam sa kanila. We have our own philosophy eh. Hindi ko puwedeng pakialaman ‘yun, unless magtatanong siya,” said Austria.
“Hindi ko naman sila ineencourage mag-coach pero nakikita nila ‘yung ginagawa ko. Maybe isang reason ‘yun kung bakit sinusundan nila ‘yung ginagawa ko,” he added.
Coach Leo said he has yet to watch the recent games of Bacon since he is busy in his duties as San Miguel head coach.
But previously, the elder Austria admitted he is more nervous watching them coach than when he mentors his own team San Miguel in its games.
“Baka maging jinx ako,” said Austria in jest. “Actually, mas kinakabahan ako especially nung first game (ni Bacon). And I’m so happy na very supported siya ng mga tiga-Ateneo.”
San Miguel closed the best-of-seven semifinal series against Barangay Ginebra last Friday, winning Game 6, 101-88, and there is also a reason why he is also happy that he won’t be coaching in a Game 7 against the ‘NSD’-driven Gin Kings.
“Probably sa Sunday, manonood ako,” said Coach Leo, referring to Bacon’s game in the UAAP on Sunday.
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