San Miguel coach Leo Austria ‘confident’ of PBA return after heart scare

MENTOR. San Miguel head coach Leo Austria during a 2025-26 PBA Philippine Cup game. PBA Images Four-time PBA Coach of the Year Leo Austria looks forward to calling the shots for San Miguel again after a successful angioplasty MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel head coach Leo Austria is optimistic that he can return to the PBA sidelines after a health scare kept him out of the start of the Governors’ Cup. Austria revealed on Sunday, July 26, that he underwent angioplasty — the reason he missed the Beermen’s first four games of the conference, leaving deputy Peter Martin to temporarily call the shots. “I’m confident that I can go back, it’s just a matter of time. I need to return at a hundred percent,” said Austria. Currently the second-oldest head coach in the league at 68, Austria said he felt fine weeks ago as he even took part in tuneup games, which is one of his ways to stay in shape. However, his electrocardiogram (ECG) — one of the tests required by the Games and Amusements Board as part of his medical examination for the renewal of his professional coaching license — indicated a possible heart problem. Austria then consulted cardiologist friends Tony Leachon and Rommel Galvez, who advised him to take a stress test, and eventually, an angiogram, which confirmed blocked arteries in his heart. The four-time PBA Coach of the Year underwent an angioplasty on July 7, then got discharged from the hospital on July 9. “I’m so lucky because the doctor told me, ‘You’re a walking [time] bomb. Luckily, I didn’t collapse or anything,” said Austria. Despite getting clearance to return to work, Austria said San Miguel team governor Robert Non, who had a successful bypass surgery over a decade ago, insisted that he rests for the meantime. Austria also continues to deal with the side effects of his medication, which causes stomach bloating that interferes with his sleep. “It’s just a matter of a few games before I go back to coaching,” said Austria. “Regarding my heart, there’s no longer any problem. I just need to continue my maintenance medication.” Even without Austria, the Beermen are off to a promising start, winning their first three games against Macau, Terrafirma, and Converge, before losing to unbeaten NLEX. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading