Pitted against other champion teams from East Asia, San Miguel Beermen coach Leo Austria is challenging himself to prove his team’s worth.
The San Miguel Beermen are the most successful franchise in PBA history, having won a league-record 29 championships. But against other champion clubs in the East Asia Super League (EASL), the Beermen have not had much success so far.
On Wednesday night, in a home game at the Philsports Arena, the Beermen fell to Hong Kong Eastern, 84-74, in an EASL group stage game. The result kept SMB winless this season after five games and stretched their overall record of futility in the EASL to 0-7.
The losses, coming against some of the best professional teams in the region, don’t sit well with SMB coach Leo Austria, who is a champion coach in his own right with nine PBA titles under his belt. He wants his team to be more competitive against their counterparts from other leagues, while on a personal level, he wants to show other coaches that he is up to the task.
“We have to do well,” said Austria, who was re-appointed head coach of SMB last month. “Not only for the EASL, but for me as a coach, I really want to compete in the EASL. Given an ample time to prepare…I think in the next few tournaments, hopefully, we can go back to this kind of tournament. Because I enjoy it, because I want to compete with those good coaches from different countries.”
Wednesday night’s loss was the Beermen’s third straight in the EASL since Austria replaced Jorge Gallent and comes just a week after they lost by 31 points in a road game against the Hiroshima Dragonflies.
Like the other clubs, SMB has to juggle games in its local league and the EASL. The Beermen’s struggles in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup, where they are likely to tap a fifth import, haven’t made things easier. But then again, their opponents are playing in the EASL, PBA, and their own local league in Hong Kong.
“It’s a tough game for us because of the schedule we’re experiencing,” Austria noted. “But that’s not an excuse for us. And we have to deal with that kind of schedule. And I think this game, the culprit was our slow start. Imagine we’re down by 19 points after the first half. And luckily, we were able to recover in the middle of the third quarter to the fourth.”
The EASL allows only 12 players to suit up per team. Since the PBA allows 16, Austria has to sit four of his players every EASL game. On Wednesday, he chose to rest veterans Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Simon Enciso, and Rodney Brondial.
“The day before the game, I talked to them because they are not feeling well. I mean, their body is really… bugbog na ang mga kawatan because of the travel.
“And it’s not really a good thing for them because after our game in Japan, we had a game on the 12th and then 15th. So medyo taxing para sa mga players. And then they’re not getting any younger.
“And also, I want to give some players some time exposure for them to develop their rhythm going to the game because in the next few (PBA) games, it’s tough for us. Not only in the EASL, but the PBA.”
Hong Kong Eastern has had SMB’s number so far, having beaten them twice now in the EASL and once in the PBA. But Austria liked what he saw from his troops, especially in the second half where they battled back from a 20-point deficit to come within seven late in the game.
“This game gives us a lot of learning experience. We know now we can compete. But it’s a matter of time to be really competitive. And then next time, it will be different.”
And being competitive, in Leo Austria’s mind, includes hiring the right imports. One big disadvantage that PBA clubs have against other Asian clubs is that teams like San Miguel and the Meralco Bolts play with only one import locally, whereas other clubs have as many as three. When the EASL games come around, the PBA clubs have to hire a second import to be competitive.
“Imports really have a big role on any team,” Austria said. “In our games against Japan and Korea, I think we can beat the locals, local to locals. But because of their advantage, (in their) ongoing tournaments, which they allow three imports and two to play each time, I think that’s something you have to consider. Imports are really a big factor in every tournament.”
For the EASL, San Miguel has already suited up imports Quincy Miller, EJ Anosike, Jabari Narcis, and Torren Jones.
Banner Images from the East Asia Super League.