New San Miguel players adapting well to Austria’s system
Hampered by injuries on his main guys in the offseason, San Miguel coach Leo Austria can still find reason to smile as the rest of his guys looked ready for the upcoming PBA season.
With two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo nursing a plantar fasciitis injury, Marcio Lassiter healing from a tweaked hamstring, and Arwind Santos fighting through tonsillitis, the outspoken coach is elated that the some of the Beermen are stepping up in lieu of their ailing teammates.
San Miguel routed championship rival Alaska, 101-84, in a tune-up game last Wednesday at Gatorade Hoops Center.
Drawing huge contributions from new recruits Brian Heruela and Ryan Araña, Austria credited the two for sustaining the Beermen’s deadly form in training camp.
“I’m happy to see us performing even though wala yung mga key players namin. Yung chemistry namin, mukhang nakukuha namin agad dahil mabilis naka-adapt si Heruela and si Ryan sa system namin. Alam agad nila yung gusto naming mangyari,” he said.
Though he’s confident that the squad will be in full health come the season, Austria is just hoping that the hunger will remain for San Miguel as it defends its Philippine and Governors’ Cup titles.
“What we left behind during the championship, we should start from there and keep on improving as the days go,” he said.
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