Leo Austria says Beermen still on the lookout for additional big men

While still trying to cope with the impending absence of main man June Mar Fajardo in the upcoming 2020 Philippine Cup, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria has set his sights on acquiring a big man who can temporarily fill the huge hole vacated by the 6-foot-10 Cebuano.

Austria, however, admitted that while there are players who fit the bill, signing them up is an altogether different story.

“Talagang may plano kaming kumuha ng big man. Ang problema, walang nag-ooffer sa amin ng big man eh dahil lahat ng big man, kailangan ng bawat team,” said Austria on Tuesday after the Beermen blasted Rain or Shine in tune-up match, 77-63, at the Acropolis Gym in Quezon City.

With regards to free agents, the 61-year old San Miguel mentor disclosed that there are players interested in suiting up for the All-Filipino defending champs but are still tied up with their mother teams.

“Sa free agency, wala akong makita eh. May mga nagpapahayag ng interest para sa amin. The problem is nag-expire ang contract nila pero wala naman silang release so yung rights nila, nasa mother team pa rin nila,” bared Austria.

“Ayaw namin ng ganun na alam namin na yung rights nasa ibang team. Ayaw namin kunin yun. If they get their release, pwede yun pero as of now, we will see,” he added.

For the time being, the team has to make do with the tandem of Mo Tautuaa and Billy Mamaril who both had solid performances in the win against the Elasto Painters.

“Si Mo, if he will be given a lot of playing time, I think lalabas ang kanyang laro. Yun ang importante sa team especially we don’t have June Mar,” said Austria.