PBA Coach of the Year award an inspiration to Austria

PBA Coach of the Year awardee Leo Austria. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Leo Austria was named back-to-back “Baby Dalupan” Coach of the Year on Saturday night in the 2016 PBA Press Corps Awards Night at Gloria Maris Restaurant inside Gateway Mall at Araneta Center in Cubao.

Austria, who became the first coach since Chot Reyes in 2002 and 2003 to win the prestigious award for the second consecutive year, steered San Miguel Beer to a historic title in the Philippine Cup where the Beermen came back from a 0-3 hole and semifinals stints in the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cup.

“This award serves as an inspiration for me to be better one game at a time,” said Austria, who received the award the same year as Dalupan’s passing.

Dalupan was also honored with a tribute in the presence of his family who also received a citation.

Also major awardees were Rain or Shine co-owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que, who were awarded the “Danny Floro” Executive of the Year.

The Elasto Painters, who have built a solid reputation as the most consistent franchise in terms of winning, won their second crown in the Commissioner’s Cup this season.

Newly-acquired Star Hotshots guard Paul Lee was named “Bogs Adornado” Comeback Player of the Year. Lee was the Finals MVP during Rain or Shine’s championship run in the second conference after an injury-hit Philippine Cup.

The 27-year-old Lee, who was traded for two-time MVP James Yap in a one-on-one swap last week, also made it to the All-Interview Team.

The All-Interview Team was revived after more than 10 years. Lee joined his former head coach Yeng Guiao, LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra, Jimmy Alapag of Meralco, Arwind Santos of San Miguel and Asi Taulava of NLEX.

Tenorio, Lee and Chris Ross of the Beermen were also recognized for their Finals exploits.

Three other guards were awarded with Rain or Shine’s Jericho Cruz named as Mr. Quality Minutes, Ross as Defensive Player of the Year and GlobalPort’s Terrence Romeo as Scoring Champion for the second consecutive year.