Beer blast

Decorated coach Leo Austria did not waste a single minute during his time out of the coaching reins of San Miguel Beer.

Never tired of being a student of the game, the tactician spent hours watching, observing and learning new strategies and plays from the ever-evolving international basketball.

Free from the daily grind of preparing and training the Beermen for their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) campaign after management bumped him to a consultant role and replaced him with Jorge Gallent during the 2022-2023 Governors’ Cup, the 67-year-old coach buffed up his knowledge of the game.

His coaching sabbatical gave him a fresh approach to the sport.

Almost two years later, on his first full conference since his return in the middle of Season 49, Austria has turned the star-studded San Miguel into an even more dangerous squad.

Such was in full display when the Beermen slammed TNT’s grand slam bid to reign supreme in the season-ending Philippine Cup.

Austria beat the Tropang 5G in their own defensive game in the best-of-seven series, punctuated by a 107-96 Game 6 victory Friday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The now 10-time PBA champion coach, including seven in an all-Filipino contest, credited San Miguel’s return to glory to the new system he developed by absorbing what he saw from tacticians of the national teams that participated in the country’s hosting of the FIBA 2023 World Cup.

“I’m so fortunate because during those times that I wasn’t involved in the team, during that time it was a World Cup season that was held here, I was able to watch most of the games,” Austria shared.

“Every day, I was at the MOA (Mall of Asia Arena) and (Smart) Araneta (Coliseum) to figure out what’s really happening in basketball internationally. And I picked up a lot of things.”

One of which was planning a more efficient defensive scheme, fit specifically with the kind of personnel the team has.

Austria felt San Miguel had been too reliant on just outgunning opponents and winning by sheer strength specifically through behemoth June Mar Fajardo.

He wanted change.

“If you notice, our defense is different from the past. And from there, I applied to our team,” Austria added.

But change takes time.

Austria was reinstated as head coach midway into the Beermen’s tumultuous Commissioner’s Cup run, which saw a number of import changes that eventually resulted into an embarrassing elimination round exit.

That debacle, however, became San Miguel’s rallying point back to glory.

“When I came back as head coach, the players had a hard time adjusting,” Austria said.

“But they really changed from Day 1. We’ve gone back into basic from 1-on-1 to 5-on-5 — both in offense and defense. And I was able to define the roles of each and every one,” he added.

“And then, if you notice, there’s no two point guards playing on the floor at the same time. There are even players who weren’t able to play because we have a crowded wingman spot.”

“But because their roles are defined, they know that as long as the team is winning, there’s no problem with them. But as long as they give quality minutes there’s an opportunity for them to play. And that’s why we’re here as all-Filipino champions.”

San Miguel finished the elims on top and armed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals dethroned last edition’s tormentor Meralco.

Although it took the Beermen seven games to eliminate Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, the long series sharpened them for the finale.

Defense got San Miguel back from a 24-point deficit in the championship opener that still went TNT’s way in a controversial late offensive interference called on forward Mo Tautuaa.

That loss just fanned the blazing desire of San Miguel to bag the title.

The Beermen won the next three meetings, dropped Game 5 before celebrating their 30th overall championship and 11th in an all-local tournament.

“It takes lot of hard work for this team because they are new to my system. And I’m happy for them for buying into my system,” Austria said.

“All of them followed our game plan. especially on defense. And that’s the key,” he added.

“Our defense is really different from the past.”