MANILA, Philippines — Following San Miguel Beer’s second consecutive PBA Philippine Cup title, seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo made an impassioned plea for head coach Leo Austria to receive more recognition for his role in the team’s historic dynasty.
The Beermen officially secured the crown with a 92-77 victory over TNT in Game 6 on February 2, 2026, marking a masterful 4-2 series comeback for the veteran squad.
A Historic Legacy With the win, Leo Austria earned his 11th PBA championship, a milestone that moves him into a tie for third place on the all-time list of winningest coaches:
- All-Time Leaders: Austria now joins Chot Reyes and Norman Black in the third spot. They trail only Tim Cone (25 titles) and the legendary Baby Dalupan (15).
- The All-Filipino Specialist: Austria remains perfect in PBA Philippine Cup Finals, holding a flawless 8-0 record in the league’s most prestigious conference.
Fajardo’s Endorsement Speaking after the victory at the Mall of Asia Arena, Fajardo emphasized that Austria’s humble nature often leads to his strategic contributions being overlooked.
- “One of the Greats”: “He’s one of the great coaches of the PBA,” Fajardo said in Filipino. “He hasn’t been given too much credit, but he’s such a humble person and he’s the reason why we’ve won many championships.”
- The “Player-First” Approach: Fajardo credited the coach for instilling discipline in practice while allowing players the freedom to showcase their individual strengths during the game. “He lets us play our game, and I guess that’s why the players were able to show what they can bring on the court,” he added.
A Championship Renaissance San Miguel’s latest triumph is particularly significant given the team’s recent coaching shifts. Austria had previously moved to a consultancy role while Jorge Gallent led the team, but his return to the helm has immediately resulted in back-to-back All-Filipino titles.
The Beermen overcame a rocky start to the season—including an 0-2 record and a Game 1 loss to TNT in the Finals—proving that the Austria-Fajardo tandem remains the gold standard for success in Philippine professional basketball as they enter 2026.