Leo Austria missed several games of the Commissioner's Cup playoffs due to health protocols.
San Miguel Beermen assistant coach Jorge Gallent was elevated to head coach for the PBA's season-ending Governors' Cup, the league announced on Saturday with the official lineups.
Former head coach Leo Austria was said to have requested a break.
"Coach Leo met with management a few days ago and informed us that he wishes to take a coaching sabbatical for personal reasons starting the Governor’s Cup," team manager Gee Abanilla said in a text message. "We respect his decision and we understand his situation as we fully support whatever he needs."
Austria would remain as a consultant, Abanilla added. "To the SMB supporters, rest assured that we will continue to WORK TOGETHER and strive for a successful campaign in the Governor’s Cup onwards."
Gallent temporarily took over the Beermen when Austria was placed under health and safety protocols, leading San Miguel to four straight wins in the eliminations and swept the Converge FiberXers in the quarterfinals. Austria returned in Game Two of the semifinals against the Bay Area Dragons, a series which saw the Beermen eliminated.
Overall, the coach has steered San Miguel to nine championships, with the latest being the 2022 Philippine Cup. But the squad is having struggles with import-laden conferences. They were unable to defend their 2019 Commissioner's Cup title and last won the Governors' Cup in 2015.
This is the first time that Gallen will officially spearhead a team since 2010-11 with the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados. He has picked up six Philippine Basketball League championships though as a coach from 2006 to 2009.
The Beermen will not be the only one elevating an assistant coach for the Governors' Cup. Bonnie Tan is the interim tactician for the NorthPort Batang Pier, while Jamike Jarin will lead the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters following the departure of Topex Robinson to La Salle. Meanwhile, Jojo Lastimosa will be calling the shots for TNT Tropang Giga.