Pagpapakita at pagtatalaga sa kanilang ginagampanan sa koponan, na tinanggap naman ng lahat ng mga player, ang siyang naging susi sa tagumpay ng San Miguel Beer upang maisagawa nilang walisin ang kanilang best-of-seven semifinals series ng Talk ‘N Text.
“I am not expecting this because I have a lot of respect to Talk ‘N Text because they are very organized and experienced team with lots of Gilas players on their line-up,” pahayag ni coach Leo Austria.
Hindi maitago ni Austria ang kasiyahan sa kanilang naabot lalo pa at maramni ang nagduda sa kanilang koponan sa simula pa lamang, partikular sa ilang mga desisyon na kanyang ginawa bilang coach.
“I’m so happy with the team because everybody was doubting us at the beginning of the season. I predicted na at the end of the eliminations, nasa middle kami to get to the Final Four, but naging number one kami,” ani Austria.
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“A lot of credit to the players. I saw them na they really worked hard and what transpired in our team is na-develop ‘yung unity.”
Marami ang pinahanga ni Austria dahil sa napakalaking ipinagbago sa mentalidad at attitude ng mga manlalaro ng Beermen pagdating sa laro.
“What I did to them is I defined the role of the players and had a good chemistry, doon nadevelop ‘yung unity and solid sila eh,” paliwanag ni Austria. “The players were willing to learn and developed their chemistry. Nakita nila ‘yung opportunity namin to get to the Finals na matagal na hinahangad ng management and ng fans, and we helped each other and that’s why from Game 1 to Game 4, solid sila. That’s what makes our team a better one.”
Habang naghihintay pa ng kanilang makakalaban sa finals na pag-aagawan ng Alaska at Rain or Shine na kasalukuyang naglaban kagabi habang sinusulat ang istoryang ito, sinabi ni Austria na magpapahinga muna sila ng dalawang araw para mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang kanyang mga player at ang buong staff ng team na makapiling ang kanilang pamilya dahil hindi nila ito nagawa sa nakalipas na Pasko.
Pinili ng Beermen na hindi magbakasyon at sa halip ay mag-ensayo at maghanda sa bisperas at mismong sa araw ng Pasko para edomatiyak ang kanilang pagpasok sa kampeonato.
Gayunman, sinuman ang kanilang makakatapat sa finals, ayon kay Austria, ay paghahandaan nilang mabuti ito para sa target na titulo, ang una para sa koponan makalipas ang halos 13 taon magmula nang huling magwagi ang Beermen noong 2001 All-Filipino Cup kung saan ay head coach pa nila noon si Jong Uichico, ang siyang tumayong coach ng Tropang Texters.
“At this point, I cannot choose our opponents. These two teams are equally strong and they have the experience, especially Rain or Shine. Kahit sino ang kalaban nila, mabibigyan ka ng tunay na laban. What I’m trying to do with the team is just be tough and don’t be dirty because that will reflect on the coach. I keep on teaching them to just be tough,” paliwanag ni Austria.
“We’re fortunate because we have a lot of time to prepare. The players responded and we showed it in the games. The playoffs is different, semifinals is different, and Finals is also different. Lahat ng stats, isasantabi mo na iyan eh. It’s the desire of the players ang magpe-prevail. Walang mahina at walang malakas,” pagtatapos nito.
