FOR every successful run, there are critics. And San Miguel Beer Head Coach Leo Austria is not exempt from tirades.
Austria is constantly getting a dose of criticisms especially in social media about his success with the San Miguel Corp. franchise. These attacks on the pride of Sariaya border on the Beermen winning five straight Philippine Cup crowns not on his merits, but because he has the material to dominate the all-Filipino conference of the 45-year-old Philippine Basketball Association.
“You just can’t please everyone. It’s normal for these people to criticize, but who are these critics?” Austria told BusinessMirror in a phone interview on Thursday from his room at the Quest Hotel in Clark.
“What is important is we already won championships through the help of the players and management,” he added.
Austria was no ordinary player—he was Rookie of the Year in 1985. As a coach, his collection of trophies is testament of his success—eight PBA titles in a seven-year career, including one for the Shell Turbochargers in 2005.
His string of Philippine Cup crowns included the classic 2015 Finals when they were down 0-3 only to send the Alaska Aces reeling in the next four games.
The 62-year-old tactician said he is not bothered by his bashers, all of whom he categorized as anti-San Miguel Beer, and in the current season, his wards have started to get into the groove after a 1-2 start in the bubble.
“The players are stepping up because they know the situation,” said Austria, referring to the absence of six-time Most Valuable Player, 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo, and three-time scoring champion Terrence Romeo, who are recovering from a leg and shoulder injury, respectively.
Matt Ganuelas-Rosser is in the US and is also absent in the bubble.
San Miguel Beer is now on a three-game roll, beating Terrafirma (105-98), Alaska (92-88) and Meralco (89-82) for a 4-2 win-loss record.
An encouraging sign, according to Austria.
“It’s their pride and willingness because they know there’s still a chance for us to win the title,” said Austria on the eve of their game against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
The Beermen-Gin Kings duel is set at 6:45 p.m. on Friday at the Angeles University Foundation gym in Pampanga with Austria being able to draw contributions from his entire bench in the absence of Fajardo and Romeo.
Mo Tautuaa is averaging 18.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, while veteran Arwind Santos is posting 14.1 points and 10.6 rebounds. Marcio is norming 15.6 points in the Beermen’s six.
Ginebra, on the other hand, is coming off back-to-back defeats, but hold the same 4-2 card as San Miguel Beer.
Magnolia (2-4) and Northport (1-4) clash in the first game at 4 p.m.