PBA: Austria sets sights on PH Cup 6-peat after San Miguel misses grand slam anew

San Miguel Beermen head coach Leo Austria said his squad will look to accomplish an unprecedented 6th straight PBA Philippine Cup title next year.

The statement came after the Beermen faltered to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup as they fell to Barangay Ginebra Sunday.

Coincidentally, San Miguel also lost to the Gin Kings in 2017, as the latter ended their aspirations for a much-coveted triple crown that season.

Per the PBA website:

“This is not the end of the world. We still have a lot of chances and it’s up to us. Maybe next year, maybe next year.

“We’ll never know what will happen, maybe we’ll be having another chance (next season) … I think we have a chance to defend the title and win a six-peat, which has never happened in the PBA. But right now, I think we have to reflect and plan how to get this elusive title which is the grand slam. Kung sa amin ito, siguro ibibigay, kung hindi, hindi.”

Austria also added the exit felt painful for the Beermen, who were hounded by issues towards the end of the conference elimination round.

After losing Dez Wells to an injury and bringing in John Holland, the Beermen saw some of their members figure in an intra-squad scrimmage fight, ultimately leading to multiple suspensions for players Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong, and Ronald Tubid.

But the veteran mentor also didn’t forget the positives for the Beermen for the 2018-2019 season.

“It’s really painful for us because we wanted to achieve something that’s very rare. But I’m happy of what we’ve achieved – two championships this season and eight championships the last five years. So we have to count our blessings, hindi naman lahat mapupunta sa iyo.”