No option but winning in Leo Austria’s second tour

Returning San Miguel coach Leo Austria in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO—Coach Leo Austria recalled the exact words San Miguel Corp. (SMC) big boss Ramon Ang told him that confirmed his return as the man in charge of the San Miguel Beermen.

“We’re losing coach, so you will be back,” Austria said, quoting Ang.

There were no direct marching orders heard afterward, but Austria understands that there’s no need for that to be said, given the Beermen’s history and mystique.

“The expectation is really high for San Miguel,” he said as San Miguel was seeking to make it two in a row since the nine-time champion coach swapped duties with now-consultant Jorge Gallent as the Beermen were battling Blackwater at Ynares Center here at press time.

A win will put the Beermen at 3-2 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and end a major week for SMC’s flagship franchise when an early slump prompted the change in direction.

CJ Perez (left) strands Rey Suerte using June Mar Fajardo’s screen in their game at press time. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Getting past the Bossing will allow some sense of relief for the Beermen and also begin the next step toward getting the team back into their old, winning form under the 66-year-old Austria.

But San Miguel will have a busy schedule ahead with a home-and-away showdown with Eastern beginning Wednesday in Hong Kong in the East Asia Super League (EASL).

San Miguel is also in a slump in the EASL, dropping its first two games to South Korea’s Suwon KT Sonicboom and Taiwan’s Taoyuan Pilots.

Busy schedule

The Beermen and Eastern will slug out once more next Sunday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Eastern was staking its 4-1 slate when it faced unbeaten Barangay Ginebra in Sunday night’s other match.

“Even though management won’t tell you that ‘you have to win,’ a lot of people are not used to losing when it comes to San Miguel,” said Austria.

The Beermen continue to deal with some rough patches under the coaching change, which showed in the first half of Sunday’s contest with the Bossing, led by import George King and rookie Sedrick Barefield, when they fell behind for some parts of the second quarter.

San Miguel is also in the adjustment phase with new import Torren Jones, who replaced Quincy Miller against Terrafirma. Miller remains with the Beermen as their second EASL import. INQ