LESS THAN two years after joining UST’s coaching staff, assistant coach Ged Austria now finds himself leading the Growling Tigresses in the inaugural season of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL).
With UST head coach Haydee Ong stepping into the role of commissioner of the newly formed league, Austria was thrust into the position.
The transition was abrupt for Austria, who had grown accustomed to editing and analyzing game films for the team’s practice sessions. The reality of his new role hit him during an encounter with his father, Leo Austria, the head coach of the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA.
“Inakbayan niya ako, sabi niya, ‘O, handa ka naman, huwag kang ma-pressure ha.’ Gumano’n sa akin so ako parang, ‘Oo, okay na ako,’” he told the Varsitarian. “Naisip ko, parang lalo akong na-pressure. Although, more on the excited side.”
“Hindi ko ‘to na-foresee kaagad na eventually parang biglang magha-handle ka agad ng team as a head coach,” he added.
Despite the pressure, Austria draws inspiration from NBA coach Erik Spoelstra, who similarly began his career in the video room before rising to head coach of the Miami Heat.
“Nag-start siya dati as video editor lang e. Parang gano’n ako dati,” he said. “It’s a good start kasi ang maganda do’n, ‘pag video editor ka, or ikaw ‘yong nage-edit ng splice ng scouting, alam mo ‘yong tinatakbo ng lahat ng kalaban.”
This is not the first time that the 30-year-old coach has faced a steep transition. A former Ateneo Blue Eagle, Austria previously had to adapt from being a player to an assistant coach, a challenge he also foresees as he assumes the role of head coach.
“I’m quite sure na it won’t be easy. Hindi sya seamless… Iba sya,” he said. “yung transition from an assistant to a head coach, I expect it to, hindi naman sa mahirap, pero hindi rin madali.”
Growing without Ong, Dysangco
Austria expects a tough challenge ahead as the Tigresses face 13 teams in the WMPBL, only one of which, the FEU Lady Tamaraws, is from the UAAP.
“Ang difference nga lang dito, every team is new. So, wala kang alam masyado, wala kang pang background kasi kakabuo pa lang. Unlike sa UAAP, nakalaban mo na siya a year ago, alam mo kung sino ‘yong nawalang players, alam mo kung sino ‘yong bago,” he said.
However, the coach believes that UST, coming off a heartbreaking UAAP finals loss to NU, is hungry for redemption. The Growling Tigresses will enter the tournament reinforced by Nigerian import Isioma Onianwa, who is expected to address the gap in the frontcourt where NU dominated UST.
“Alam ko na ‘yong mga bata, sobrang excited na maglaro ulit. Regardless if this is UAAP or not, any team naman na sasali sa isang liga, gustong manalo,” he said.
“We want to win it all talaga pero hindi siya magiging madali. We’ll take it one day at a time. It’s a process. It’s a long process. We’ll take it one day at a time.”
For the first time, the Tigresses will be without Ong and assistant Arsenio Dysangco, who will take on a deputy role for the WMPBL.
Austria said he would continue implementing Ong’s system in the WMPBL.
“Thankful rin ako for this opportunity na ganito yung trust na binigay sa akin nila,” he said. “Siyempre kasi programa nila ‘to na binuild nila for almost a decade na…Siyempre, tatakbo ‘yong sistema, pero of course, they trust your decision to make plays.”
Austria also sees the WMPBL as a chance for him and the Tigresses to grow independently of Ong and Dysangco’s guidance, an opportunity he does not want to take for granted.
“I always tell them na, pag makakalaban ninyo, i-enjoy ninyo, pero of course, dapat hindi nyo i-take for granted ‘yong opportunity kasi marami silang mapupulot na lessons dito,” he said. “Always stick to the process and the results will take care of itself.” with reports from Sydney Venice V. Berba