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Leo Austria back as SMB coach; Jorge Gallent returns as assistant

Sports | Basketball

Leo Austria back as SMB coach; Jorge Gallent returns as assistant

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

No less than San Miguel governor Robert Non made the announcement on Friday, Dec. 13, just moments before the Beermen's game against the fellow struggling Terrafirma Dyip.

San Miguel seemed to have finally pressed the panic button.

After two consecutive losses, the Beermen have decided to bring back Leo Austria as their head coach while sliding Jorge Gallent back to an assistant role.

No less than San Miguel governor Robert Non made the announcement on Friday, Dec. 13, just moments before the Beermen’s game against the fellow struggling Terrafirma Dyip.

Despite executing the big trades during the offseason by acquiring Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig, the Beermen slumped to a 1-2 start to the mid-season conference.

The proud franchise has been on a rough start to its after campaign dropping its last two games – the first, after squandering a double-digit lead against NLEX for a 99-104 loss, and then absorbing another sorry 93-107 loss at the hands of Rain or Shine.

SMB’s only win came against Phoenix with Marcio Lassiter just bailing out the Beermen with a late jumper for a 107-104 win.

Austria last handled San Miguel in 2023 before assuming an active consultant role when the franchise promoted Gallent to the head coaching role, leading to a Commissioner’s Cup title and Finals appearance last season.

Prior to becoming a consultant, Austria steered SMB to nine championships – including a five-peat in the Philippine Cup five-peat highlighted by the team’s historic Beeracle run in 2016.

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