PBA Season 43 Preview: Pressure to dominate still fuels San Miguel

Head Coach: Leo Austria
Key Players: June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter
Key Additions: Christian Standhardinger, Chico Lanete, Billy Mamaril, Louie Vigil
Key Losses: Ronald Tubid, JayR Reyes

Victors of three straight all-Filipino titles, San Miguel is undoubtedly the hands down favorite to win the crown for the fourth straight time.

Coach Leo Austria  has been listening to all the chatter surrounding their bid history and he wants to use that to fuel his players to keep on aspiring for greatness.

“We’re gunning for a fourth all-Filipino championship, but I constantly tell the guys that we have to live up to the expectations for us to improve,” said. “The pressure is always there and I tell them that it should force them to play at their best, to keep working hard, and keep learning.”

With a potent five led by four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, and Marcio Lassiter, San Miguel has established a dynasty over the past three years and even went on to win two of the three titles last season.

But despite all the accolades, Austria assured his squad is still as hungry as ever.

“It will be a disappointment for us if we don’t win the championship,” the affable mentor admitted. “We won five championships over these past years and everybody expects us to be there (in the Finals) always. But we have to work hard. We should be able to show what is expected of us.”

So powerful is this San Miguel side that even though 2017 top overall rookie pick Christian Standhardinger is still months away from suiting up for the squad, it is still the consensus benchmark for all the teams.

But Austria knows that the rest of the league is plotting myriad of ways to dethrone the kings from their throne — something which should keep his men on their toes.

“This season is a different season because every team improved. I’m sure that by this time, our opponents are finding formulas to limit June Mar. This is going to be a tough season for us because everyone is out to get us,” said the three-time Coach of the Year. “So we need to do what we’ve been doing in the past and more. The hunger should still be there. We know that the talent we have is superb, but it would not prevail if we don’t mix it up with hardwork and teamwork. Extra effort is what we need.”

He ended: “We can’t think about the championship because it’s still too far ahead, especially this conference when every team is preparing for us like we’re the barometer. But it’s good for us because this is a challenge.”