ABL title in Austria’s sights

MANILA, Philippines - Coach Leo Austria said yesterday San Miguel Beer’s 16-game winning streak is no assurance of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) championship as he prepares for the best-of-five semifinals against the Sports Rev Thailand Slammers starting Thursday at the Ynares Sports Center.

San Miguel ended the regular season last Friday, hacking out a 107-104 triple overtime win over the Westports Malaysia Dragons in Kuala Lumpur. The win raised the Beermen’s record to 19-3, guaranteeing the homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs for the top seed. Defending champion Indonesia Warriors finished second at 16-6 and Malaysia third at 12-9 with a final game to play against Saigon. Thailand took the fourth spot at 8-14.

Last year, San Miguel also topped the regular season with a 17-4 mark, beat Malaysia in the semifinals and lost to Indonesia in the best-of-three finals that went the distance. Austria was coach Bobby Parks’ assistant and won’t ever forget the pain of bowing to the Warriors in the title clincher at home. Now, Austria has a chance for redemption and deliver what Parks, who passed away last March, fell short of claiming by a single game.

“Right now, everything is 50-50 until Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs is over,” said the 55-year-old Austria who won PBL titles with Shark Energy Drink and Welcoat before coaching in the PBA. “I think we’ve got the advantage in experience, skills and imports but we can’t be comfortable. Every team is out to beat us because we’re the top seed. My job is to motivate my players to grab this opportunity to win a championship. The team is on track. We played a no-bearing game against Malaysia last Friday and we were down by 10 with less than three minutes left in regulation but we forced overtime. The guys never gave up, they wanted to win and keep the streak alive. That’s the attitude we’re taking to the playoffs.”

Austria’s imports are 6-10 Brian Williams of Tennessee and 6-9 Justin Williams of Wyoming. Others in the roster are Chris Banchero, Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, Leo Avenido, Val Acuna, Paolo Hubalde, Jeric Fortuna, Christian Luanzon, Hans Thiele, J. R. Cawaling, R. J. Rizada and Mike Burtscher.

San Miguel plays Thailand, coached by Kobe Bryant’s father Joe, in the semifinals. Among the Slammers are Filipino Froilan Baguion and imports 7-1 Christien Charles of Villanova and 6-9 Darrius Brannon of Houston. In the other semifinals, Indonesia battles Malaysia. The Warriors are coached by American Todd Purves and count on Filipino point guard Jerick Canada, Fil-Ams Stanley Pringle and John Smith and imports 6-9 Steve Thomas of Middle Tennessee State and 6-7 Chris Daniels of Georgia. The Dragons are coached by Filipino Ariel Vanguardia and the starters are 6-9 Gavin Edwards of Connecticut, 6-9 Marcus Hubbard of Angelo State, 6-7 Fil-Tongan Mo Tautuaa, 6-4 Fil-Am Julius Armon of San Beda College and 6-11 Fil-Am Justin Melton of Gilas Pilipinas.

“Malaysia plays the Talk ‘N’ Text style and coach Ariel has five players with American backgrounds in his starting lineup,” said Austria. “They generate offense from the frontline while Indonesia’s offense comes from the guards led by Pringle. We’re the targets so we’ve got to be ready to compete in every game, every night. In the playoffs, you’ll never know how the calls will go on the road.” Unlike in last year’s best-of-three finals, this season’s edition will feature a best-of-five affair.

The good news for San Miguel is Banchero, averaging 16.4 points, will be reactivated for Thursday’s Game 1 after sitting out six outings due to a tendon tear in his left quad. “We’ll need Chris in the playoffs,” said Austria. “We’re also relying on our veteran frontline. Asi has been outstanding. He’s in great shape. So is Eric who’s back in uniform after breaking his nose and suffering a cut in his head. They give us a lot of depth. I don’t know if their motivation is to go back to the PBA but in the ABL, they’re chasing a championship and that’s important late in their careers.” Game 2 between the Beermen and Slammers is set Saturday at the PhilSports Arena. Game 3 will be held at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok on May 28. If necessary, Game 4 will be played in Bangkok on May 30 and Game 5 in Manila.

The ABL is on its fourth season with the Philippine Patriots capturing the inaugural crown, Thailand bagging the second and Indonesia the third. Each of the six ABL teams is allowed to enlist three Asean and two non-Asean imports. Asean imports in the league include Chris Sumalinog and PBA veterans Norman Gonzales and Jai Reyes of Saigon and Fil-Am Philip Morrison and Jun Cabatu of Singapore.