The Beermen raced off to a hot start but had to weather a late-game Phoenix storm to open their campaign on a winning note.
There may be a new coach, but it’s the same dominant team.
That’s the message the San Miguel Beermen sent after a 114-93 win over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in their PBA Governors’ Cup opener on Sunday.
After replacing Leo Austria, Jorge Gallent chalked up his first win as the official head coach of the Beermen.
But this isn’t exactly the first time Gallent was in charge of the team.
In the Commissioner’s Cup, the long-time assistant coach was tasked to lead the team for seven games while Austria was under health and safety protocols.
With Gallent at the helm, the Beermen went 6-1 capped by the Game 1 loss to the Bay Area Dragons in the semifinals.
A little over a week ago, the SMB management announced Austria, who led the proud franchise to 9 titles in 8 years, will be the team’s consultant while Gallent would be promoted to head coach.
Gallent said he has yet to talk to Austria, who, according to officials, is taking a coaching sabbatical.
“Not yet. Siguro in a few days,” he said.
Asked about the transition, Gallent said he is pretty much employing the same system with some tweaks here and there.
“We just have to fix some minor things. Nothing major. The things that we’re doing the past few games, we just fixed it a little,” said Gallent after the match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
But handling the winningest franchise with 28 championships comes with immense pressure. He doesn’t seem bothered by it, though.
“Pressured, yes. But the management is always there to support us so there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.