After winning his 11th PBA title, San Miguel coach Leo Austria is now tied with Chot Reyes and Norman Black at third.
Even after winning nearly a dozen PBA championships, San Miguel coach Leo Austria rarely gets the recognition he deserves.
To this day, most people couldn’t speak about his greatness in the same breath as Tim Cone, Baby Dalupan, Chot Reyes, Norman Black, and Yeng Guiao.
The reservations stem from Austria supposedly being just lucky to have nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, among others, at his disposal since taking the reins in 2014.
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Fajardo — who emerged as Finals MVP of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals — stepped in to end the debate once and for all.
“Magaling talaga si coach Leo. Isa siya sa pinakamagaling na coach sa PBA. Hindi lang siya nabibigyan ng masyadong credit,” said Fajardo after the championship-clinching 92-77 Game 6 win against TNT at the Mall of Asia Arena. The gentle giant, known for his humility even though he’s still at the top of his game at 36, isn’t exactly wrong.
With this latest conquest, Austria is now tied with Black and Reyes for third with the most championships won at 11.
Tim Cone remains the winningest with 25, while the late great Baby Dalupan comes in at second with 15.
Austria is also a recipient of the PBA Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year award handed by the league’s Press Corps four times already.
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That’s why there’s no doubt in Fajardo’s mind his 67-year-old mentor belongs in the upper echelon of Philippine basketball coaching.
“Ako na magsasabi sasabi sa inyo, magaling si coach. Magaling siya na coach. Siya dahilan kaya nananalo ng championship ang San Miguel,” he said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.