AFTER San Miguel Beermen won six PBA championships in as many Finals appearances, head coach Leo Austria saw his record tarnished in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Austria’s erstwhile unbeaten slate was obliterated by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings with three straight defeats after taking a 2-1 series advantage in lopsided fashion.
“It’s a very unusual feeling dahil we never experienced this kind of loss in the Finals,” Austria said moments after Beermen’s 77-93 loss to Kings in Game 6 of the best-of-seven Finals recently.
“We’re not perfect e. You win some, you lose some,” added the outspoken coach. “It’s hard to maintain being on top of the mountain. Sooner or later babagyuhin ka, babagsak ka.”
But Austria also said that, instead of sulking from the loss, the Beermen were just determined to bounce back in the upcoming PBA Governors’ Cup, where the Kings are the two-time defending champions.
“Alam ko e na we’re a little bit complacent. This could serve as a wakeup call for us because of the hype na sinasabi na we’re a strong team. All of a sudden, there’s another team that’s emerging and playing better than us,” Austria said.
“Kailangan alisin namin iyong anim na championship, kailangan naming alisin iyong nababasa’t naririnig namin na we’re a super-team,” he added. “We have to go back to the basics. We have to prepare hard because every team is too eager to beat us.”
For the Governors’ Cup, Austria said they will bring in a familiar face – two-time PBA Best Import awardee Arizona Reid, who led the squad to the championship three years ago.
“He (Reid) has been here since last month and joining the practices,” Austria said of Reid, who has a PBA averages of nearly 30 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
BACOLOD VOLLEYBALL
For the second straight year, Ateneo Lady Eagles will set to face Perlas-BanKo Lady Spikers in an exhibition match on Aug. 26 at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.
The Lady Eagles will use the exhibition as part of their build-up after changes during the offseason, with the appointment of Oliver Almandro as head coach and the entry of new rookies to compensate for the departure of star Jhoanna Maraguinot.
Bannering the Lady Eagles are veterans Bea de Leon, Deanna Wong, Julia Samonte, Ilongga Dani Ravena, Negrenses Cassandra and Cacee Gequillana, Madeleine Madayag, Kat Tolentino, Pauline Gaston, and Ria Lo.
Also in the roster are incoming rookies Erica Raagas, Vani Gandler, Jaja Maraguinot, and Samantha Farger.
Lady Spikers, meanwhile, will have Suzanne Roces, Amanda Villanueva, Marilou Regidor, Amy Ahomiro, Jorella de Jesus, Fenela Emnas, Joy Dacoron, Rysabelle Devanadera, Gizelle Tan, Nicole Tiamzon, Jem Ferrer, Angelique Gervacio, and Mae Tajima.
The Lady Eagles-Lady Spikers Bacolod City exhibition match was organized by Negros Federation of Volleyball Enthusiasts, Inc. headed by president Jon Mar Aguillon.
Tickets – P1,000 for patron seats and P250 for the upper box – may be bought at the USLS Gym or through Biboy Calamba at 09209507861./PN
