Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
San Miguel may have failed to become the sixth team to achieve the Grand Slam, but the Beermen still gained a piece of history with four players being named in the Mythical First Team.
Newly-minted Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Commissioner’s Cup BPC Chris Ross, clutch playmaker Alex Cabagnot, and former MVP Arwind Santos all earned their spot in the season’s best five, typifying the Beermen’s dominance this year.
And San Miguel coach Leo Austria believes that the historic distinction is a testament of his players’ unwavering dedication.
READ: Fajardo takes home fourth MVP; Four Beermen make it to Mythical 5
It’s only the first time in the league history that four players from the same team made it to the Mythical Five.
“I think it’s a product of their hardwork. Since the all-Filipino conference, I rarely changed my starting five except if there is an import, and even if we had an import, you can see how great our local players are because they’re still contributing to the team,” he said.
Austria has always leaned on his starters and in return, they never let him down, showing poise through out the season, as San Miguel racked up win after win and championship after championship.
“I’m proud and I’m happy for them because they understand what we need from them, and they’re proving that what we’re doing is what’s good for the team and it brought us two championships,” the affable mentor said.
But Austria knows that the work wasn’t done by the starters alone, giving credit to his bench as an integral part of the Beermen’s success.
“Our bench players sacrificed a lot,” he said. “They don’t get much playing time, but when we put them in the game, you could see that they’re stepping up. And even if they’re on the bench, they keep on cheering our first five and I think that’s a big reason why we’re winning.”