PBA: San Miguel coach Leo Austria returns after heart procedure

Sa Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria during a game against NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria revealed he underwent angioplasty earlier this month that forced him to miss the first three games of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Austria finally showed up for the Beermen, albeit in a losing cause on Sunday against the NLEX Road Warriors, after only limiting his team activities to practice sessions.

“Yung puso ko pala mapagmahal,” Austria joked after the 110-96 loss at Smart Araneta Coliseum while detailing the events that led to his medical condition.

The veteran coach said he discovered having some blockage in his arteries after undergoing a medical checkup, which is prescribed for those holding a license from the Games and Amusements Board.

That prompted multiple checkups and tests before doctors Mel Galvez and known cardiologist Tony Leachon, who is a close friend of Austria, followed by the angioplasty last July 7.

READ: PBA: San Miguel coach Leo Austria could return to bench vs NLEX

“They saw something wrong during my stress test. And to confirm everything, I underwent an angiogram,” Austria said. “I asked ‘What happened? I keep on playing [pick-up basketball games].’

“But I’m so lucky because the doctors told me that I’m a walking [time] bomb,” added Austria.

Despite his return, Austria opted to take a step back as assistant coach Peter Martin once again called the shots during the contest.

Martin handled the team during the wins over Macau, Terrafirma and Converge, though Austria runs San Miguel’s regular practice sessions.