Andreas Cahilig was given the daunting task of guarding Blackwater import George King. He did well in the eyes of coach Leo Austria.
While Torren Jones and June Mar Fajardo starred for San Miguel in the 115-102 win against Blackwater on Sunday, Dec. 15, head coach Leo Austria also spoke highly about a role player who came off the bench.
Austria talked about Andreas Cahilig, who was acquired by the team in a trade to Terrafirma before the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup commenced.
Cahilig wound up with only eight points, a rebound, two assists and a block, but was given the daunting task of guarding Bossing import George King.
San Miguel new acquisition Andreas Cahilig bothers Blackwater import George King with his defense in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, Dec. 15. | Photo (c) PBA
Though King ended up with 40 points, Austria thought Cahilig did a tremendous job with the defensive assignment.
“Ni-re-reward ko 'yung mga players na nasa loob [who are] working hard. Nakita naman natin how Andreas Cahilig played. He’s not in the starters, but 'yun ang sinasabi kong I have to define the role of the player,” said Austria after the match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“And that’s his role: He’s a two-way player. He can play defense, and you cannot leave him wide open.”
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Does this mean Cahilig will be a regular part of Austria’s short rotation?
The 66-year-old mentor, who has nine PBA championships with the Beermen under his belt, said it depends on their foes.
Against King, the amiable mentor added, the agile forward is SMB’s best option.
“The rotation, medyo kaunti because of the kind of personnel of our opponents. Cahilig was there for longer minutes because of George King. Nobody could do better than Cahilig on our team, eh,” said the chief tactician, who won his second straight game since returning as head coach of the team that now holds a 3-2 card.
“We tried our import from the start, but nakita ninyo naman, nagbigay siya ng four na four points (by George King). That’s huge. We switched to Cahilig, and it worked.”