Leo Austria returns as San Miguel head coach, Jorge Gallent moves to consultant role

MANILA, Philippines – Leo Austria is back calling the shots for San Miguel.

Austria returned as Beermen head coach in the middle of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup starting with their game against Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, December 13.

San Miguel team governor Robert Non announced the change before the game as former head coach Jorge Gallent slid to a consultant role.

The move came after a rocky start in the tournament that saw the Beermen lose two of their first three games under Gallent.

Gallent steered San Miguel to the Commissioner’s Cup crown last season, although the Beermen suffered a pair of semifinal exits in the last two conferences.

A four-time PBA Coach of the Year, Austria is tasked with guiding San Miguel to a record-extending 30th championship.

The 66-year-old Austria led the Beermen to nine titles, including five straight Philippine Cup crowns, in his eight-year stint as San Miguel head coach from 2014 to 2022.

But Austria got demoted to consultant in 2023, with Gallent taking over as head coach.

Now back at the helm, Austria looks to restore order for the mighty Beermen with a new import, Torren Jones, on board. – Rappler.com