ALREADY a powerhouse team, the San Miguel Beermen will be even more dominant in the future.
SMB coach Leo Austria, while brushing off talks of a grand-slam as too early, couldn’t hide his excitement of what looms ahead for the Beermen.
“Lagi kaming nananalo in the first few years that I was with the team. What more kung may darating pang mga quality players?” said Austria at the Beermen’s victory celebration Tuesday evening at the San Miguel Corp. offices in Ortigas for winning the recent Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup for a fourth straight time.
Primary reason is SMB’s top draft pick, 6’9” Fil-German Christian Standhardinger, who is expected to boost the Beermen’s already massive and talented frontline.
Standhardinger will be around once his commitment with Hong Kong Eastern basketball team in the Asean Basketball League is over.
While Austria expects Standhardinger to do well when he comes over, this year’s top rookie pick won’t be alone in his efforts to give SMB another crown.
Troy Gillenwater, a 6’9” import, will take the place of former Best Import awardee Charles Rhodes, who won’t be available for the Beermen as he is currently playing in the Korea Basketball League.
Gillenwater and Standhardinger can strengthen the Beermen’s interior further, since they also have 6’11” June Mar Fajardo.
Austria said their efforts to go for more Philippine Cup honors will come after they’ve proven themselves in the Commissioners Cup, which begins April 22.
With the imports coming, Austria said there will be adjustment in his rotation, especially among the locals.
“There were a lot of challenges. Kapag nanalo ka ng All Filipino (Philippine Cup), susukatin ka nila (other teams). Kami ang nagiging barometer. Then, they will build up for the next conference with you (Beermen) in mind,” added Austria, who won his sixth title in as many conferences.
“Every game for me is a championship game and that’s the attitude I wanted to impart to each and every player we have,” said Austria, who brushed off aside talks of a possible grand-slam that was denied them by sister team Barangay Ginebra last season.
“Binabanggit diyan iyung grand-slam. But, it’s still a long way to go, dahil for me, every game is a championship game,” added Austria.
Of course, who is Austria kidding?