.png){kind=spacer}
1 hour ago
2
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
San Miguel Beermen coach Leo Austria during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer star June Mar Fajardo is looking at the bright side of coach Leo Austria’s recent medical procedure.
For the ongoing 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup, Austria has been relegated to the sidelines after undergoing an angioplasty to clear blocked arteries.
As someone close to the veteran tactician, Fajardo shared encouraging words following Austria’s successful procedure.
“In his 10 years as a coach [for San Miguel], he hasn’t been absent in practice. That’s just how coach Leo is,” Fajardo told the Inquirer in Filipino after their win over Titan Ultra on Wednesday. “I told him, maybe that’s his body’s way of telling him to rest. Fortunately, they saw it early because that’s not easy.”
SABI KO SA KANIYA, TAKE IT AS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE’
WATCH: June Mar Fajardo talks about Leo Austria and the veteran tactician’s recent angioplasty. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/iSjLAkmqy4
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) July 29, 2026
“I told him, take it as a blessing in disguise. What if they didn’t see that in the X-ray? We don’t want that to happen.”
The Beermen played without Austria in their first three games in the season-ending conference.
He returned during San Miguel’s game against NLEX on Sunday but did not take his usual spot on the bench.
For Fajardo, that was a welcome sign that Austria is on the road to recovery.
“That was probably his body’s way of saying he needs to rest… Our body’s our foundation. If we don’t give it enough rest, it will cost us,” Fajardo said.
The reigning MVP also poked fun at Austria constantly screaming on the sidelines during some of the Beermen’s mishaps against the Giant Risers.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
“Sumisigaw pa nga ‘yan kanina, e,” he said with a laugh. (“He was even shouting earlier.”)
“He’ll be back fully. He’s just there. You guys see him even screaming on the sides. That’s no joke. He still screams, even in practice, but thankfully, he’s recovering now.”
