Austria, Victolero, Cone to coach PBA All-Star selections anew

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--For spearheading their respective teams to podium finishes in the PBA Philippine Cup, Leo Austria, Chito Victolero, and Tim Cone got the privilege to once again coach the three regional selections in the PBA All-Star Week on May 23-27.

For being the champion coach, San Miguel's Austria will once again take charge of the Luzon All-Stars as they take on Gilas Pilipinas on May 25 at the Batangas City Sports Center in Batangas City.

Meanwhile, Magnolia's Victolero and Ginebra's Cone will swap teams.

Victolero, who coached the Mindanao All-Stars last year in Cagayan De Oro, will play gaffer's role to the Visayas All-Stars that will battle the Nationals on May 27 at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City.

Cone, who was with the Visayas All-Stars last year in Lapu-Lapu, will spearhead the Mindanao All-Stars this time in the first leg of the PBA All-Star Games series on May 23 in Digos.

Only Victolero had a better showing among the three last year when Mindanao forced a 114-all draw against Gilas.

[Related Story: Mindanao All-Stars, Gilas Pilipinas settle for draw in All-Star Week opener]

Austria and Cone, on the other hand, found their respective teams ending up on the wrong side of routs against the national team.

[Related Stories: Gilas rallies late to beat Luzon All-Stars | "SEABA 12" makes epic debut, rallies to beat Visayas All-Stars]

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno