Austria: COVID-19 brings balance to league

The coronavirus pandemic has made the 45th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) into a free-for-all among the 12 teams, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria told the Daily Tribune.

Austria swears the lockdown, which began in the second week of March, brought balance to the league where only a few teams managed to reach the top.

“I agree with that. This pandemic was a trial for everyone but it became a great equalizer in the league,” Austria said in a telephone conversation Sunday morning.

“There’s no such thing as the most or least favored teams. For me, we are all now equal.”

The Beermen, who are itching to rewrite history by copping their sixth-straight Philippine Cup title this year, were the heavy favorites among 12 teams prior to the tip-off in early-March.

Parading a star-studded roster, Austria relies heavily on six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot.

This pandemic was a trial for everyone but it became a great equalizer.

In the last six years, San Miguel has been the perennial team to beat. The team started its campaign on the right note by defeating Magnolia, 94-78, during the season 45 grand opening last 9 March at the Araneta Coliseum.

This despite the absence of Fajardo who will be out for a year due to a shin injury and is likely to miss out the season reboot on 9 October in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Austria bared Fajardo’s absence will be a great factor in their run this year but shared his team is not just about the 6-foot-10 gentle giant.

“We will bank on our other player and I must admit, June Mar’s shoes are really hard to fill,” said Austria, holder of three PBA Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year plums.

“We still have Mo (Tautuaa) and other guys are expected to step up in June Mar’s absence.”

But despite a still intact team, the chief tactician bared that all teams have to start from scratch ahead of the league resumption.

“Before, SMB is I think the favorite team since we have June Mar and other veteran players but this pandemic, there is really no advantage to any team,” the 62-year-old mentor stressed.