Prior to being assigned to NorthPort, Arwind Santos (right) spent most of his career as a member of Leo Austria’s “Death Five”. —PBA IMAGES
From afar, Arwind Santos is watching the new era of San Miguel Beer unfold.
An integral link in the club’s many previous Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) championships, Santos expressed his affection for former coach Leo Austria’s appointment to a less hands-on role. than.
“I feel sad for Coach Leo. For me, it’s not yet time to let him go,” the NorthPort veteran told the Inquirer in Filipino. “First, he is about to enter the All-Philippines Championship. If in three conferences and they don’t win one, [the move] will make sense.
According to team manager Gee Abanilla, Austria has taken leave for personal reasons. However, Bacon, son of the nine-time champion coach, wrote on Twitter that “people can’t even get their statements right. Scrambling for imaginary excuses,” fueled speculation that the seasoned mentor had been sacked from his position at the helm of the club.
Santos, who spent his most successful years at San Miguel under an Austrian shirt, said he doesn’t know the details surrounding the Beermen’s coach change, but he also understands that certain decisions must be made. be respected.
dominion dynasty
But he will continue to support Austria, whom he appreciates most of all the coaches who have taken charge of the franchise.
“Coach Leo is one of the few people who have brought San Miguel records in coaching history,” he said. “If someone asks me who is the best coach for San Miguel? That’s Coach Leo.”
Austria’s run against the Beermen represents a five-year reign of dominance at the tournament’s centerpiece, the Philippine Cup and multiple Coach of the Year titles.
“When I’m done with this game and have coached young people or even my kids, if someone comes up to me and asks who is San Miguel’s greatest coach, it’s coach. Coach Leo. And the strongest squad—we, the Death Five [of June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot].”
“I will always be proud to say it,” he said.
As San Miguel navigates the Governors Cup with a new coach, so will TNT and Phoenix—the two clubs will feature in the finale of Wednesday’s doubles match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. .
Focus on Gilas
Jojo Lastimosa, formerly the team manager of Tropang Giga, will direct longtime contenders who want to perform well with Gilas Pilipinas’ mission-focused Chot Reyes.
Meanwhile, Jamike Jarin will direct a new-look Fuel Masters, which will now be rebuilt following the departure of Topex Robinson.
Additionally, also pinning the horns at the Big Dome are Blackwater and NLEX, which were supposed to be exclusively Filipinos for the time being as initial imports, Jonathon Simmons has decided to take instead offers. from a professional club in China.
Simmons was supposed to be an audience attraction during the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Now the only attention the NLEX import is generating is due to his availability. Will he appear or not for the Road Warriors on their league debut on Wednesday?
Blackwater’s coach, Ariel Vanguardia, didn’t wait for an answer.
“We will try and contain [NLEX’s] Vanguardia said. request
Your weekly sports analysis
Continue reading
Register QUESTIONER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download as early as 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints or requests, Contact us.
