Austria urges Sariaya youth to take sports
San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria is promoting healthy lifestyle and sports development in his hometown Sariaya in Quezon province. And with the help of San Miguel Corp., Austria believes there are young sports talents that can be identified in the province.
Austria, along with PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio, joined Sariaya local officials led by Mayor Marcelo Gayeta and Quezon clergy led by Lucena Bishop Mel Rey Uy during the recent inauguration of the new facilities of the 5.4-hectare San Miguel-Christian Gayeta Homes, which include a covered and concrete basketball court, livelihood center, e-library, and children’s learning center.
Austria expressed gratitude to SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang for taking care of 127 families relocated to the P352 million sustainable housing community from the risky coastal areas of Sariaya.
The SMBeermen head tactician said the SMC presence in their place could well boost basketball in the whole province and produce fresh talents for the collegiate leagues and even the pro loop.
Austria, the PBA rookie of the year awardee in 1985, said that living in the province did not deter him from moving forward as a player and coach in the Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL) and the PBA.
“Ang sabi ko nga sa mga bata, ako nga na tagarito sa Sariaya ay nagsikap at umabot sa PBA. Kaya’t kaya rin nila basta magsikap sila at malaking blessing na nandito ang San Miguel sa Sariaya,” Austria said.
“Being in San Miguel changed my life. Ang sabi ko sa mga kababayan ko ay nagpakita ng malasakit ang San Miguel at si Boss RSA nung lockdown at hanggang ngayon ay maaasahan nila yun. Magkakaroon ng trabaho at makakatulong sa income ng local government units ang pagtatayo ng negosyo ng San Miguel sa Sariaya,” said Austria.