San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria was just grateful to finally return and call the shots following a serious health scare that forced him to miss the Beermen’s first six games in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

Austria was back on San Miguel’s bench on Wednesday after recovering from an angioplasty procedure he underwent last month.

The Beermen welcomed the 11-time champion mentor with a 126-114 victory over struggling Converge at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, giving San Miguel a 5-2 win-loss record in second spot in Group A behind unbeaten NLEX (6-0).

“I’m back again to coach the team. I’m so happy to be back and give our team another win,” the 68-year-old coach said.

It was Austria’s first coaching stint since Rain or Shine eliminated the Beermen in the quarterfinals of the recent Commissioner’s Cup.

“I think this is my first time since May 15 to coach the team. At the start, I was really nervous because I’m just trying to feel the rhythm of the game,” he said.

Austria had to undergo the procedure on 6 July after a routine checkup discovered blockages in his arteries. He was then advised to undergo more tests, including a stress test and angiogram, which confirmed his health issues.

“I thank God for giving me another opportunity to coach the team and I also would like to thank those people who saved my life. I’m just so happy that many people helped me and that I’m now back coaching,” he said.

While Austria was recovering, his deputies, led by Peter Martin, took over his spot.

Despite not being able to coach during the previous games, the four-time PBA Coach of the Year made it a point to be present during team practices.

“I’m so happy because even though I’m not coaching in the past six games, I’m always in practice. I’m trying my best to be with the team and to inspire them. But they want me to coach, so I’m here,” he said.

Austria, though, is still taking extra caution with his health.

“I think I’m 99 percent (healthy). But I still have to recuperate because as much as possible I want to get back into full health.”