San Miguel coach Leo Austria. PBA.INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO
FOR winning two of the three conference titles at stake last season, San Miguel Beer’s Leo Austria will be honored as the 2015 SCBC-8 Entertainment Corp.-Coach of the Year when the PBA Press Corps holds its Annual Awards Night this Wednesday at Century Park Hotel.
Austria’s return to the league as coach, after a near-decade-long career as player and then as mentor, came as the Beermen wallowed in despair after a three-year title drought under different mentors.
He first steered the Beermen to the Philippine Cup title with a thrilling Game 7 victory over Alaska and then to the season-ending Governors’ Cup crown with a resounding sweep of the same Aces.
The Beermen missed the playoffs of the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup.
Legendary Crispa mentor
For his feat, Austria—a former Rookie of the Year (1985)—was voted unanimously as the Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Coach of the Year, named in honor of the legendary Crispa Redmanizers mentor.
The 57-year-old Austria was head coach at Shell in 2004-05 and then at Welcoat Paints (now Rain or Shine) in 2006.
Austria was appointed head coach of SMB prior to the 2014-15 season, taking over a powerhouse but underachieving franchise that has reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo, former MVP Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz and Ronald Tubid.
Austria is just the third SMB coach to win the coveted award and the first in 15 years, joining American Ron Jacobs (1997) and Jong Uichico (2000).
He joins Talk ‘N Text’s Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, the recipient of the Danny Floro Executive of the Year award, and the other top achievers to be feted by PBA reporters.
Other awardees: Fajardo (Gerry’s Grill-Defensive Player of the Year), Calvin Abueva (Mr. Quality Minutes); Alex Cabagnot (Comeback Player), Paul Lee (Order of Merit); All-Rookie Team—Stanley Pringle, Chris Banchero, Jericho Cruz, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Jake Pascual.