PBA: SMB coach Leo Austria relishes 'very special' championship win

After steering the San Miguel Beermen to the 2015 Philippine Cup championship, Leo Austria hopes to continue creating a name for himself as a head coach in the PBA.

 

The title is Austria's first in the PBA after taking the helm for San Miguel this conference.

 

"I hope magkaroon ako ng identity dito, but I'm not expecting that," the coach said. "I keep on working hard, maski saan ako mapunta, sa ABL, sa amateur, sa college, I will show what I have."

 

At the start of his coaching stint for the Beermen, Austria said that his goal was only to surpass the achievements of the past coaches of the team. But when San Miguel topped the elimination round, he said they were lucky to be able perform past his expectations.

 

The team then overachieved further, completing a rare sweep of powerhouse team Talk 'N Text in the semifinals. Alaska gave them trouble in the finals forcing a Game Seven, but the Beermen prevailed in the end and won their 20th title in the league.

 

"Very special for me, because this is the number league in the country and these guys are very good," Austria said about winning the championship. "And I think I can compete with them."

 

Before San Miguel, Austria had head coaching stints for Shell and Welcoat in the PBA. He also coached in the Philippine Basketball League and in the collegiate level, calling the shots for Adamson University.

 

He led the team also called San Miguel to a championship in the ASEAN Basketball League, and was hailed as that league's Coach of the Year in 2013. — JST, GMA News