Leo Austria admits fearing for his job over All-Filipino gamble
San Miguel coach Leo Austria. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Miguel coach Leo Austria dodged a bullet when his team, playing all-Filipino for Game 3, evaded early elimination after a 104-98 win over Rain or Shine on Thursday.
Making the decision to drop troubled import Tyler Wilkerson, the outspoken mentor admitted that he feared for his job.
“Thank God I proved something because if not so, baka matanggal na ako dito,” Austria said. “I have to praise my players, the entire team. Their body language is different. They want to win even though they know we have no import for this game. Wala akong masabi sa kanila.”
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Austria admitted that it was his decision to ditch Wilkerson ahead of a crucial match and was relieved to see the Beermen fighting back.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, if something happens, this is my responsibility, but I have to do something. Hindi na maganda ang nakikita ko sa team. They are not happy,” he said. “This time, they’re helping each other. We’re lucky dahil nanalo kami ngayon. If not, baka kasama na kami sa Boracay Cup.”
Wilkerson was nothing but stellar in this semifinals series, averaging 37.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks. However, the rest of the squad struggled to make an impact with regular contributors like Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos struggling in the first two games.
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Without going to details, Austria also hinted at some internal strife between Wilkerson and the coaching staff.
“Kung ako, ok lang. Tinitiis ko na yung lahat ng ginagawa nya sa akin because I want to win and I want to sacrifice for the team, but the last time, he did something that’s not really good for the team,” Austria said, looking back at the high-scoring reinforcement’s post-game tantrum after San Miguel’s 98-96 Game 2 defeat on Tuesday, where the media even heard Wilkerson shout: “Take me back to America!”
“Kung matalo kami, at least nasabi ko yung gusto kong mangyari. Minsan, ina-underestimate nila ako eh. Sobrang bait ko daw. Kasalanan ba na maging mabait? I don’t know. Since I started coaching, this is me. I don’t have to change my personality. Mahirap yun.”
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Austria thinks Wilkerson’s competitive fire may have gotten the better of him and someone too concerned with being no. 1 isn’t what his team needs at the moment.
“He’s a good guy and it happened na he wants to win. Yung talo namin, he’s really frustrated, but compounded na rin eh,” he said. “What we need is respect in every one of us, the players, the coaching staff, and the management. It’s obvious na kaya ni Wilkerson but he’s not involving his teammates, he wants to prove that he’s the best import and there’s no doubt, but what we need is somebody who could lead us.”
San Miguel will welcome back AZ Reid who will replace Wilkerson in Game 4.
