AUSTRIA HOPING TO JOIN BIG J IN ELITE GROUP
Leo Austria, the PBA Rookie of the Year awardee in 1985, is on line to making another elite PBA list as he figures in a coaching battle in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
If ever, his name will be etched alongside that of Robert Jaworski and a few others – individuals who have won championships in the PBA both as a player and as a coach.
The first to complete the feat was Fort Acuña in 1979 followed by Robert Jaworski as the playing coach of Barangay Ginebra in 1986.
Next to achieve the same accomplishment was Norman Black (1988), and then Ely Capacio (1991), Rino Salazar (1992), Joel Banal (2003), Boyet Fernandez (2008) and Ato Agustin (2011).
“Hopefully, mapasama tayo dyan,” said Austria, who has had previous head coaching job in the PBA with Shell and Welcoat (Rain or Shine).
“Maganda yan mapapatunayan natin na ang mga PBA players pwedeng mag-graduate na PBA champion coach. Kung sakali, tribute din yan sa local coaches,” Austria also said.
He’ll try to achieve the milestone against Alex Compton, a Philippine-born American with a background of playing collegiate ball in the United States.
Austria is on a roll since winning for the San Miguel team the 2013 ASEAN Basketball League crown.
He had had other coaching victories in the defunct Philippine Basketball League.
As a player, the Sariaya, Quezon native won a PBA championship with Shell in the 1990 First Conference under coach Arlene Rodriguez. (SB)
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