Alex Cabagnot vs NLEX. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Leo Austria didn’t have the reunion he envisioned with his former point guard Alex Cabagnot in San Miguel’s 100-88 victory over Terrafirma in the 2021-22 PBA Governor’s Cup.
Cabagnot, who was dealt to the Dyip prior to the start of the conference, sat out the game as he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his team’s previous tiff against NLEX.
“I know for a fact that every time he is suffering some injuries, he will be back stronger. He is playing well. Unfortunately, that incident, that’s beyond his control. I’m praying for him to recover well,” said Austria Sunday after their win.
Austria and Cabagnot spent seven years together at San Miguel and the multi-titled coach believes that the mere presence of his veteran point guard would’ve changed the game’s complexion easily.
Terrafirma’s Juami Tiongson vs San Miguel’s CJ Perez. PBA IMAGES
“Definitely it will become harder for us to beat them because Alex knows what’s going on with the team and he knows the plays and strategies,” said Austria.
“He’s playing well and he has god chemistry with his new teammates. I think it will be a problem for us especially in the late stretches because he has proven to his teammates that he is a big factor.”
Cabagnot won nine championships in his career and eight of those were under the tutelage of Austria who became the Beermen’s head coach in 2014.
The 39-year-old, however, was traded to Terrafirma for Simon Enciso on November 13.