San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria praised his players for staying in shape despite the long PBA suspension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic even as the team prepares for the planned resumption of training next week.

Austria noticed how the team was able to maximize the five-month layoff after the Beermen gathered at San Miguel Corporation on Tuesday to undergo swab testing being facilitated by the company.

“I’m so happy to see them this afternoon (Tuesday), because I think all of them are very lean at talagang inalagaan nila yung kanilang katawan at na-maintain nila yung conditioning nila,” Austria said Tuesday night.

SMB has been undergoing virtual workout sessions under the guidance of the team’s physical therapist Edward Bacason.

But Austria knows that almost every player and team have done the same thing as they continue to hope for the PBA season to resume later this year.

The season was cut short after just one game — the Beermen’s 94-78 mastery of the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok last March 8 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial earlier said that the season could resume in mid-October or otherwise cancelled.

“I think very noticeable naman na halos lahat ng player sa PBA talagang nag-lose ng weight, dahil wala ka namang gagawin sa bahay kundi mag-exercise,” said Austria.

“Kung athlete ka talagang mapipilitan ka and you have all the time to prepare for yourself dahil alam naman natin anytime pwedeng mag-open,” he added.

ICYMI: From basketball and gaming to magic and origami, June Mar Fajardo is a jack-of-all-trades

SMB is one of the first teams to take the testing procedure as a mandatory requirement before being allowed by the PBA to hold practices as early as Tuesday.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Magnolia were also scheduled to take theirs this week while the other nine ballclubs are slated to have their respective procedures on Thursday and Friday at the Makati Medical Center.