Austria, Victolero, Cone to coach PBA All-Star teams

For the second straight year, Leo Austria, Chito Victolero, and Tim Cone will man the sidelines for the PBA All-Star teams in the three-leg 2018 PBA All-Star Weekend slated in May.

With their teams finishing in the top three this past 2018 PBA Philippine Cup, the coaches from all three SMC teams are once again tasked to lead squads taking on Gilas Pilipinas in the midseason extravaganza on May 23 to 27.

Leading San Miguel to its fourth straight Philippine Cup title, Austria will handle Luzon anew, while Victolero and Cone swap assignments this time as they charge for Visayas and Mindanao teams, respectively.

Cone will have the first dibs at the nationals with lead vote-getter Scottie Thompson, Jio Jalalon, Mac Belo, and former players Peter June Simon and Mark Barroca in tow in the Mindanao All-Stars squad in Digos City on May 23.

Austria and the Luzon All-Stars team bannered by Calvin Abueva, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, and Jayson Castro take on Gilas on May 25 in Batangas City.

Victolero and the Visayas All-Stars, anchored by four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, along with James Yap, Kiefer Ravena, Terrence Romeo, and Greg Slaughter round up the festivities in Ilo-ilo City on May 27.

Last year, the Victolero-coached Mindanao selection was the only team that got a favorable result, settling for a 114-all draw against Gilas Pilipinas.

Both the Austria-mentored Luzon squad (122-111) and the Cone-led Visayas crew (125-112) absorbed defeats at the hands of the national team.