Leo Austria says SMB lucky to not yet be part of 'Boracay Cup'

Among PBA fans, the meme of "going to Boracay" has spread like wildfire for teams that have been eliminated from title contention.

Naughty netizens have even created the mythical Boracay Cup — a championship for teams that have gone on vacation.

Apparently, the terminology has reached even the PBA's champion coaches.

"We're lucky nanalo kami ngayon, kung hindi baka kasali na kami sa Boracay Cup," San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria told reporters after his team's 104-98 win on Thursday over Rain or Shine.

The Beermen, playing without import Tyler Wilkerson, staved off elimination in Game Three of the series.

"I hope this will be a rallying point for them," he said. "One game at a time."

Austria paid tribute to his squad, the two-time defending Philippine Cup champion.

"I have to praise my players, they want to win even though they know that we don't have an import in this game," he said.

"Thank God we proved something."

Austria, who has piloted the Beermen to three of the last four PBA titles, said it was his decision not to let Wilkerson play after a locker room tantrum after the San Miguel's second straight defeat in the series.

The team is bringing in Arizona Reid to replace Wilkerson. —JST, GMA News