FILE–Former San Miguel head coach and now active consultant Leo Austria. –
ANTIPOLO—Leo Austria on Wednesday made his return to the sidelines of San Miguel Beer to begin his role as an active consultant.
Austria said he has been attending Beermen practices since Nov. 3, almost a year since management decided to have Jorge Gallent call the shots beginning with last season’s Governors’ Cup.
“Of course, I couldn’t help but share what I can contribute to the team, especially to the coaching staff,” Austria said before San Miguel took on NLEX at Ynares Center here.
He added that his return became possible following a discussion with San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua.
Leo Austria is back with the San Miguel Beermen as an active consultant.
Austria says he has been in the team practices since Nov. 3 and is glad to be back after his “sabbatical.” | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/n5JAIJOA5B
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 15, 2023
The man who guided the Beermen to nine championships between 2014 to 2022 called his last game in the semifinals of last season’s Commissioner’s Cup, before he was designated to a consultancy role following Gallent’s appointment.
But Austria opted to “take a sabbatical” where he spent most of time with family and friends. He also regularly attended non-PBA games like the Fiba World Cup while also playing pickup games with Beermen assistant Dayong Mendoza.
“I’m so grateful,” said Austria. “We all know that those nine years were very stressful, and that includes the pandemic. We’re so lucky we won nine championships.
“But I was able to recharge, I was able to relax and I was able to meet my relatives. That’s why I’m grateful to the management,” he added.