Playing Career
Austria played his college basketball for the Lyceum of the Philippines University while also suiting up in the commercial Philippine Amateur Basketball League. In 1984, Austria was named the Most Valuable Player of the Ambassador's Cup before joining the PBA.
In 1985, new team Formula Shell drafted Austria, aside from nabbing fellow PABL standout Sonny Cabatu in the said draft. Austria made a quick impact for the new but veteran laden Shell squad and won the Rookie of the Year honors at season's end. His average of 3.9 points per game for the 1985 season marked the lowest average for a Rookie of the Year awardee up to that time. During his stint at Shell, Austria played backup point guard for Bernie Fabiosa, Al Solis, then Ronnie Magsanoc. Austria later played for Pepsi and was out of the league after the 1993 season. In 394 games played, he averaged 4.5 points a ballgame. He had been known for his three-point shooting.
In 1998, he was awarded the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan Award for sports in 1998. The QMK Award is given to outstanding Quezonians who exceled in their chosen fields. In 1999, Austria suited up for a few games as a playing coach for his team Chowking due to injuries of his point guards.
Read more about this topic: Leo Austria
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