Austria, Guiao eye competitive PBA All-Star Game

South All-Star coach Leo Austria. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Victorious in last year’s festivities, San Miguel coach Leo Austria is hoping to continue his winning streak as he takes the lead for the South team in the 2016 PBA All-Star Game this Sunday.

“This is my second time to coach an All-Star team and in my experience last year, it’s nice to win a game against a team that is also competitive. I just want to tell my players that we want to win the game as much as we want to enjoy it and give back to the fans,” he said on Thursday during the PBA All-Star Weekend press conference.

Behind All-Star MVP Terrence Romeo, the Austria-mentored North squad escaped with a 166-161 win in Puerto Princesa.

Now, he jumped fences to the South team, where two-time MVPs June Mar Fajardo and James Yap await.

“Last year naman, nanalo ako so sana mahawa ulit,” Austria said, drawing laughs from his starters.

The South team last won in the 2008 event, where Peter June Simon captained them to a 163-158 win in Bacolod.

Yap believes that their squad can end the drought this time out.

“Magiging seryoso kami sa game. Itong All-Star naman, para naman sa mga fans ito eh, so bibigyan namin sila ng magandang laro para mag-enjoy sila,” he said. “Di kami papatalo kasi maliliit naman sila eh.”

Austria also thinks that the nice mix of young guns and veterans works to the South’s advantage.

“Probably, we have slight advantage because we have the youngest and oldest players. But we know it will be
competitive.”

Yap and Fajardo will be joined by Asi Taulava, Joe Devance, and rookie Scottie Thompson in the South’s first five.

Small ball

But the North team has something to say about that.

“Sabi ni (Marc) Pingris, malaki sila pero mababagal naman,”quipped Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who is tasked to steer the North team. “Uso naman ang small ball ngayon eh. Sanay naman ako sa team ko na maliit kami, pero nanalo pa rin naman. We’ll find a way.”

Pingris shared there’s another motivation for the North team to win the game.

“Kailangan namin maglaro ng seryoso dahil baka masigawan kami ni coach Yeng,” he blurted as the room exploded for laughs.

Guiao is just honored to be in this position once more.

“Coaching for 25 years in this league, it’s always a treat to be in this occasion and the fun doesn’t die out,” he said. “I’m very privileged and honored to be back in the All-Star Game and having the opportunity to coach these talents, di naman makakarating ang mga players na ito dito kung di sila magagaling eh, that in itself is an honor for me.”

The fiery coach, though, made it clear that he’s after the win and nothing else.

“It’s going to be our battlecry: to enjoy the game, have fun, and at the same time, try to win it. Mahirap mag-enjoy pag natalo kami kaya kailangan manalo ka muna,” he said.

Guiao will have Pingris, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Mark Caguioa, and Japeth Aguilar as his starters for the game.