Leo Austria
Encyclopedia
Leovino R. Austria better known as Leo Austria, born in Sariaya
, Quezon, is a retired Filipino
professional basketball player and former head coach of the Welcoat Dragons and the Shell Turbo Chargers
in the Philippine Basketball Association
. He is also the 1985 PBA Rookie of the Year. He later became the head coach of Chowking, Shark Energy Drink, and Welcoat/Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball League
. He is currently the head coach of the Adamson Falcons.
while also suiting up in the commercial Philippine Amateur Basketball League. In 1984, Austria was named the Most Valuable Player of the Ambassador's Cup before joining the PBA.
In 1985, new team Formula Shell drafted Austria, aside from nabbing fellow PABL standout Sonny Cabatu
in the said draft. Austria made a quick impact for the new but veteran laden Shell squad and won the Rookie of the Year honors at season's end. His average of 3.9 points per game for the 1985 season marked the lowest average for a Rookie of the Year awardee up to that time. During his stint at Shell, Austria played backup point guard for Bernie Fabiosa
, Al Solis, then Ronnie Magsanoc
. Austria later played for Pepsi and was out of the league after the 1993 season. In 394 games played, he averaged 4.5 points a ballgame. He had been known for his three-point shooting.
In 1998, he was awarded the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan Award for sports in 1998. The QMK Award is given to outstanding Quezonians who exceled in their chosen fields. In 1999, Austria suited up for a few games as a playing coach for his team Chowking due to injuries of his point guards.
, Red Bull, and Welcoat.
After Chowking was renamed as Shark Energy Drink in 2000, Austria led the team to two titles in four finals matches against Welcoat from 2000 to 2002. Austria coached a team led by Chester Tolomia, Roger Yap
, Ervin Sotto
, and Gilbert Malabanan.
In late 2002, Austria moved to former rival Welcoat Paints as its new head coach after returning from a one conference absence. With a star-studded lineup of Rommel Adducul
, Paul Artadi
, Eddie Laure
, Ronald Tubid
, and Marc Pingris
, he led the Paintmasters to the 2002 PBL Challenge Cup championship over Dazz in a three-game sweep.
Austria later led Welcoat to a runner-up finish in 2003 with James Yap
as one of its star players.
, Ronald Tubid
, Rookie of the Year Rich Alvarez
, Billy Mamaril
, and Roger Yap
to two semifinal appearances and a third-place finish in the 2005 Fiesta Conference. However, Shell disbanded after the 2004-2005 season. Austria thus returned to the amateur ranks.
after a disappointing 3-11 stint. With Austria at the helm, the Falcons made their first-ever Final Four appearance since the format was introduced. However, they were eliminated by the Ateneo Blue Eagles
in a closely fought semifinals. But, individual players blossomed with Ken Bono
winning the UAAP MVP.
Austria was formally named as the head coach of the Welcoat Dragons in the PBA. But after two seasons with the team, he resigned as head coach citing that the management wanted a new direction. His former assistant Caloy Garcia
took over his spot.
Sariaya, Quezon
The Municipality of Sariaya is a first class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. The municipality is famous for beaches, resorts, heritage houses, and hiking activities...
, Quezon, is a retired Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
professional basketball player and former head coach of the Welcoat Dragons and the Shell Turbo Chargers
Shell Turbo Chargers
The Shell Turbo Chargers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team under the ownership of Pilipinas Shell Corporation. Shell has been a member of the PBA since 1985 until 2005 when the team filed for a leave of absence after the season. Shell sold its franchise to PBL team Welcoat Paints...
in the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
. He is also the 1985 PBA Rookie of the Year. He later became the head coach of Chowking, Shark Energy Drink, and Welcoat/Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball League
Philippine Basketball League
The Philippine Basketball League is a commercial semi-professional basketball league in the Philippines. The league is composed of several commercial teams with several collegiate and provincial stars.-History:...
. He is currently the head coach of the Adamson Falcons.
Playing career
Austria played his college basketball for the Lyceum of the Philippines UniversityLyceum of the Philippines University
The Lyceum of the Philippines University is an institute of higher education located in Intramuros in the City of Manila. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. José P. Laurel, who became the third and one of the most acclaimed presidents of the Philippines...
while also suiting up in the commercial Philippine Amateur Basketball League. In 1984, Austria was named the Most Valuable Player of the Ambassador's Cup before joining the PBA.
In 1985, new team Formula Shell drafted Austria, aside from nabbing fellow PABL standout Sonny Cabatu
Sonny Cabatu
Santiago "Sonny" Cabatu Sr. , is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association and was the very first draft pick of the league in 1985. He is also the father of current Philippine Patriots player Junjun Cabatu.-References:...
in the said draft. Austria made a quick impact for the new but veteran laden Shell squad and won the Rookie of the Year honors at season's end. His average of 3.9 points per game for the 1985 season marked the lowest average for a Rookie of the Year awardee up to that time. During his stint at Shell, Austria played backup point guard for Bernie Fabiosa
Bernie Fabiosa
Bernard "Tough Job" Fabiosa is a Filipino athlete who played basketball for the Crispa Redmanizers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Career:Fabiosa was a member of the 1974 RP Youth Team and a graduate of the University of the East...
, Al Solis, then Ronnie Magsanoc
Ronnie Magsanoc
Ronald "Ronnie" Magsanoc is a former Filipino professional basketball point guard. He was the former assistant coach of the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants and a color commentator for the television coverage of the Philippine Basketball Association...
. Austria later played for Pepsi and was out of the league after the 1993 season. In 394 games played, he averaged 4.5 points a ballgame. He had been known for his three-point shooting.
In 1998, he was awarded the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan Award for sports in 1998. The QMK Award is given to outstanding Quezonians who exceled in their chosen fields. In 1999, Austria suited up for a few games as a playing coach for his team Chowking due to injuries of his point guards.
Philippine Basketball League
Austria's first coaching stint was for Chowking during the late 90s. During those days, he steered Chowking to numerous semifinal appearances but were unable to clinch a finals appearance against powerhouse and PBA-bound team TanduayTanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association , Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Basketball League basketball team.-History:...
, Red Bull, and Welcoat.
After Chowking was renamed as Shark Energy Drink in 2000, Austria led the team to two titles in four finals matches against Welcoat from 2000 to 2002. Austria coached a team led by Chester Tolomia, Roger Yap
Roger Yap
Roger Yap is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association....
, Ervin Sotto
Ervin Sotto
Ervin Sotto is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2004 PBA Draft by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs...
, and Gilbert Malabanan.
In late 2002, Austria moved to former rival Welcoat Paints as its new head coach after returning from a one conference absence. With a star-studded lineup of Rommel Adducul
Rommel Adducul
Romel Adducul is a professional basketball player from the Philippines who currently plays in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Powerade Tigers....
, Paul Artadi
Paul Artadi
Paul Anthony Dy Artadi is a professional Filipino basketball player for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association....
, Eddie Laure
Eddie Laure
Eddie B. Laure is a Filipino professional basketball player. He last played in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Powerade Tigers. Known by many as The Dominator, he is a former MBA MVP...
, Ronald Tubid
Ronald Tubid
Ronald Tubid is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barangay Ginebra Kings...
, and Marc Pingris
Marc Pingris
Jean Marc Pingris, Jr. is a Filipino professional basketball player in the PBA for the B-Meg Llamados. He is a versatile 6-foot-5 forward-center that can post up and shoot mid-range jumpshots. He is half-French and half-Filipino...
, he led the Paintmasters to the 2002 PBL Challenge Cup championship over Dazz in a three-game sweep.
Austria later led Welcoat to a runner-up finish in 2003 with James Yap
James Yap
James Carlos Yap Sr. is a Filipino professional basketball player for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association...
as one of its star players.
Shell Turbo Chargers
In 2004, Shell dismissed American head coach John Moran and named Austria as its new head coach, 19 years after starting his PBA career with the said team. This led to Austria leaving the Welcoat franchise for the big league. During his only season with the Turbo Chargers, Austria coached a young but talented team of Tony dela CruzTony dela Cruz
Anthony Bryan B. dela Cruz , better known simply as Tony dela Cruz, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association....
, Ronald Tubid
Ronald Tubid
Ronald Tubid is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barangay Ginebra Kings...
, Rookie of the Year Rich Alvarez
Rich Alvarez
Richard D. "Rich" Alvarez is a Filipino professional basketball player and currently playing for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association. Alvarez was the first overall pick of 2004 PBA Draft by the Shell Turbo Chargers...
, Billy Mamaril
Billy Mamaril
John Billy Mamaril is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Barangay Ginebra Kings. He plays the forward and center positions...
, and Roger Yap
Roger Yap
Roger Yap is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association....
to two semifinal appearances and a third-place finish in the 2005 Fiesta Conference. However, Shell disbanded after the 2004-2005 season. Austria thus returned to the amateur ranks.
Adamson Falcons
In 2005, Austria was named head coach of the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP replacing Mel AlasMel Alas
Carmelo Alas is a Filipino basketball assistant coach for the Letran Knights in the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán...
after a disappointing 3-11 stint. With Austria at the helm, the Falcons made their first-ever Final Four appearance since the format was introduced. However, they were eliminated by the Ateneo Blue Eagles
Ateneo Blue Eagles
The Ateneo Blue Eagles is the name of the collegiate men's varsity basketball team of the Ateneo de Manila University that plays in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the premiere sports league in the country. The collegiate women's varsity basketball team is called the Lady...
in a closely fought semifinals. But, individual players blossomed with Ken Bono
Ken Bono
Karl Kenneth O. Bono , better known as Ken Bono, is a Filipino basketball player, selected sixth overall by the Alaska Aces in the 2007 PBA Draft...
winning the UAAP MVP.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters/Welcoat Dragons
In 2006, Welcoat bought the Shell franchise to join the PBA as its 10th member. With this development, Austria was renamed head coach of the Welbest franchise, this time carrying the banner of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in preparation for their PBA debut. The Painters placed third in the 2006 PBL Unity Cup in the team's final conference.Austria was formally named as the head coach of the Welcoat Dragons in the PBA. But after two seasons with the team, he resigned as head coach citing that the management wanted a new direction. His former assistant Caloy Garcia
Caloy Garcia
Carlos "Caloy" Garcia is a Filipino professional basketball assistant coach of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association. He once served as the head coach of Rain or Shine from 2008 to 2010.-Early life:...
took over his spot.
Professional record
| Season | |Conference | |Team | | Elims./Clas. round | | Playoffs | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | PCT | Finish | PG | W | L | PCT | Results | |||
| 2004–05 | Philippine Cup | SHL Shell Turbo Chargers The Shell Turbo Chargers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team under the ownership of Pilipinas Shell Corporation. Shell has been a member of the PBA since 1985 until 2005 when the team filed for a leave of absence after the season. Shell sold its franchise to PBL team Welcoat Paints... |
12 | 6 | .667 | 3rd | 4 | 0 | 4 | .000 | Lost in third-place playoff |
| Fiesta 2005 PBA Fiesta Conference -Wildcard playoffs:The #3 vs. #10 and the #4 vs. #9 matchups are in the "twice-to-beat" format; the team with the higher seed only needs to win once to advance, but needs to be beaten twice in order to be eliminated. The other two matchups are a best-of-three series.... |
SHL Shell Turbo Chargers The Shell Turbo Chargers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team under the ownership of Pilipinas Shell Corporation. Shell has been a member of the PBA since 1985 until 2005 when the team filed for a leave of absence after the season. Shell sold its franchise to PBL team Welcoat Paints... |
7 | 11 | .389 | 9th | 8 | 5 | 3 | .625 | Won in third-place playoff | |
| 2005–06 | Fiesta | (Coached for the Adamson Falcons) | |||||||||
| Philippine Cup | |||||||||||
| 2006–07 | Philippine Cup | WEL | 3 | 15 | .167 | 10th | 0 | Did not qualify | |||
| Fiesta 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference -Barangay Ginebra-San Miguel series:-Talk 'N Text-Air21 series:-Red Bull-Talk 'N Text series:-Alaska-San Miguel series:-Third-place playoff:-Finals:Prior to Game 1, Sandwich performed "Laban kung Laban," the TV theme song of the PBA.... |
WEL | 4 | 14 | .222 | 10th | 0 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2006–07 | Philippine Cup | WEL | 4 | 14 | .222 | 10th | 0 | Did not qualify | |||
| Totals | 30 | 60 | .333 | 12 | 5 | 7 | .417 | 0 championships | |||
Collegiate record
| Season | |Team | | Eliminations | | Playoffs | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | PCT | Finish | PG | W | L | PCT | Results | ||
| 2006 UAAP Season 69 -Awards:* Finals Most Valuable Player: Jojo Duncil * Season Most Valuable Player: Ken Bono * Rookie of the Year: Woodward 'Woody' Co * Mythical Five** Guard: Marvin Cruz ** Guard: Jeffrei Chan... |
AdU | 6 | 6 | .500 | 4th | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost to UST in the 3rd-seed playoff, Lost to Ateneo in the semifinals |
| 2007 UAAP Season 70 UAAP Season 70 was the 2007-2008 season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, which was hosted by the University of Santo Tomas. The De La Salle University-Manila's Green and Lady Archers and De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School's Junior Green Archers returned after being... |
(Coached for the Welcoat Dragons) | |||||||||
| 2008 UAAP Season 71 -Awardees:*Most Valuable Player: Rabeh Al-Hussaini *Rookie of the Year: Ryan Buenafe -Elimination round:Host team in boldface.-Bracket:-Awardees:*Most Valuable Player: Mark Kevin Juruena... |
AdU | 3 | 11 | .214 | 7th | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | Did not qualify |
| 2009 UAAP Season 72 -Awardees:* Most Valuable Player: Dylan Ababou, University of Santo Tomas* Rookie of the Year: Jeric Teng, University of Santo Tomas-Bracket:-Awardees:* Most Valuable Player: Analyn Almasan, Adamson University-Bracket:-Awardees:... |
AdU | 5 | 9 | .358 | 5th | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | Did not qualify |
| 2010 UAAP Season 73 UAAP Season 73 is the 2010-2011 athletic year of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. It was hosted by De La Salle University... |
AdU | 9 | 5 | .643 | 3rd | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Ateneo in the semifinals |
| 2011 UAAP Season 74 UAAP Season 74 is the 2011–2012 athletic year of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. It is being hosted by Ateneo de Manila University. The men's basketball and the women's volleyball tournaments are aired by ABS-CBN Channel 2 and Studio 23 for the twelfth consecutive year... |
AdU | 10 | 4 | .714 | 2nd | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost to FEU in the semifinals |
| Totals | 33 | 35 | .485 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .000 | 0 championships | ||