SAN Miguel Beer is eager to get back on the practice court, but for a more compelling reason than perhaps most of the other PBA teams.
“Kasi tatlo bagong players ko,” explained coach Leo Austria, referring to their new import, a fresh acquisition, and a late arrival he is hoping would make the Beermen more potent in the Governors Cup.
“We need more time to practice with them and if we can have that, the better for us,” added Austria.
The eight-time champion coach may have a point.
Orlando Johnson, Rodney Brondial, and Chris Ross all came in after SMB had already racked up three straight wins for a 3-2 slate in the season-ending tourney.
Johnson, a replacement for original import Brandon Brown, planed in late December, followed shortly by Ross, who attended his father’s wake and funeral in the US. Brondial was taken in as an unrestricted free agent after he parted ways with Alaska.
“Nakakasama na namin sila sa small group workouts the last two weeks pero siyempre iba pa rin kapag sa full practices, scrimmages,” said Austria.
That scenario may just happen as early as next week should the PBA gain permission from the concerned local government units for the teams to conduct full contact practices.
Such practices were barred when the PBA decided to put its operations on hold last Jan. 3 due to the rise in daily COVID cases in Metro Manila, where games and practices are held.
But with the infection rate slowing down, the PBA Board last Monday said the games would resume by early February.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said he would be giving the teams 10 days of practices after they were limited to group training via Zoom and small group workouts.
Even if he wants more time to better acclimatize his new arrivals, Austria is ready to comply with whatever the PBA decides on.
“Not enough ‘yung 10 days but we have to do it kasi kailangan ng mag-resume ng tournament,” said Austria.
“Ang worry ko lang hindi enough preparation iyon,” added Austria. “’Yung mga players na galing sa sakit late nakapag-workout, nakapagpa-kundisyon. Alam mo naman ang players, kapag pinakawalan mo iyan sa court all-out lahat iyan. Excited iyan, nandiyan ang aggressiveness. So baka may mga players na ma-injured.”
Before the games were suspended, the Beermen were supposed to meet Phoenix Super LPG last Jan. 8 and Austria now hopes the same schedule would be followed once the games resume.
“Wednesday to Sunday ang laro natin before and ang laro namin noon dapat Saturday,” noted Austria. “Sana, kapag nagpalaro ulit ganoon din so that we would have three extra days para makapag-practice. Pero hindi natin masabi kasi baka maiba schedule.”
Whatever, Austria is still grateful the tournament is set to resume after being delayed for more than a month.
“Excited mga players, ako excited din,” he admitted.
