Advertisement

Leo Austria signs with Ateneo, keeps door open for PBA comeback

Back in August 31, Leo Austria, then head coach of the Adamson University Falcons, spoke to the media after defeating the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. The win was inconsequential as both teams were already out of the running but the post-game press conference turned out to be one of the most newsworthy in the UAAP season.

“I think this will be my last season in the UAAP, not because I’m going to the PBA, but because I want them to change,” Austria said. “I’m not popular with them anymore. Every time we play, I can see that they’re against me.”

“Dati para akong naka Paco Rabanne, ang bango-bango ko, ngayon hindi na.”

ALSO READ: Slam Rising Star Prince Rivero

Austria spoke those words to close out a chapter in his life. Little did he know that those painful words would hold true again six months after.

Austria led the San Miguel Beermen to a championship in the ASEAN Basketball League in 2013. In that series, Austria and his boys defeated the Indonesia Warriors who were coached by Todd Purves. The two coaches would later find themselves in the same bench with Austria being an assistant and Purves working as a team consultant under then Petron Blaze Boosters head coach Gee Abanilla.

In between PBA seasons, Austria fell between the cracks. His contract which is set to expire in June was bought out by SMC. He wasn’t alone in this treatment as Siot Tanquincen was also shown the door.

However, after weeks of frustration, the tide finally turned for Austria as he recently accepted an offer from Ateneo to help with the university’s sports program.

“I will be assisting Ricky Palou in developing the sports program of Ateneo, from grade school to college,” explained Austria. “Not just basketball, but all sports. Our goal is to strengthen Ateneo’s grassroots sports program and develop homegrown talents.”

Austria, winner of the PBA’s Rookie of the Year award in 1985, played volleyball in high school so he also knows something about sport that is currently exploding because of the exploits of the Ateneo Lady Eagles.

ALSO READ: Air21 drops import, two more PBA teams may follow
 
Asked why Ateneo got him for the role even if he has no prior experience in running an entire sports program, Austria said it’s because of his kids. “Maybe they saw that I was a good Ateneo parent and that my sons were model student-athletes,” he explained.
 
Although his job will demand a lot of hours from Austria, he’s not closing the book on the PBA.

“I can still accept coaching jobs elsewhere, just not in the UAAP,” he said. With the possible entry of three new PBA teams next season, it’s highly unlikely that a coach in Austria’s caliber will be left out.

“I don’t have any ill feelings anymore towards San Miguel.” Austria closed.  “It’s their decision. I don’t feel bad about it because I know I did my job well.”