BIDDING to right the ship, holder San Miguel Beer turned to someone who has led the franchise to nine PBA championships - coach Leo Austria.
And right away, the Beermen welcomed Austria back with a 106-88 rout of Terrafirma that provided a breath of fresh air in their slow-starting PBA Commissioner's Cup title-retention campaign Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The emphatic romp over the winless Dyip (0-5) put SMB back on track after painful losses to NLEX, 104-99, and Rain or Shine, 107-93. The Beermen improved to 2-2.
Austria said he was given the coaching assignment Thursday night during San Miguel Corp.'s Christmas party.
"Pinatawag ako upstairs and they asked me if I can coach, sabi ko yes, sir, and I'm healthy naman. Okay, you will be back and you'll coach tomorrow," the multi-titled mentor shared.
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""Hindi ako nakatulog because there's a lot of pressure," he added, smiling. "In the PBA you can't take teams lightly. Like Terrafirma, they only lost to Meralco in their last game in the last possession. I'm so happy to be back and get my first win after a long time on the sideline."
Gallent, who steered the Beermen to the Season 48 Commissioner's Cup crown, switched places with Austria and assumed the consultant position.
June Mar Fajardo turned in a dominant 21 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists while new import Torren Jones delivered a 24-13 game in SMB's welcome-back gift for Austria.
Fajardo flexed his muscle in the second half, banging in 14 there to spark the Beermen's breakaway.
"Masaya kami nakabalik si Paps (Austria) at nakuha namin ang panalo. Sana tuloy-tuloy na," said JMF, who also scored a career milestone as he dislodged Purefoods legend Alvin Patrimonio (6,152) from fifth spot in the league's most rebounds with 6,162 and counting.
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SMB kept the Dyip winless in five starts.(OL)
The Scores:
San Miguel 106 - Jones 24, Fajardo 21, Perez 16, Tiongson 12, Trollano 10, Lassiter 6, Rosales 6, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 4, Cahilig 3, Ross 0, Cruz 0.
Terrafirma 88 - Edwards 18, Nonoy 14, Manuel 12, Sangalang 11, Pringle 11, Melecio 7, Catapusan 6, Hanapi 5, Ferrer 4, Paraiso 0, Hernandez 0, Olivario 0, Zaldivar 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 47-39, 73-66, 106-88
