Leandro "Leo" Isaac (born February 2, 1961) is a Filipino former basketball player, commentator, and former coach.
He is chief operating officer of the basketball league Sinag Liga Asya.
College career
He played for the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA from 1978 to 1981 and was voted MVP for the 1981 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. His notable teammates include Joel Banal, Junel Baculi, and Bong Ramos.
PBA career
He played for Ginebra San Miguel from 1986 to 1991 and 1994 to 1995. In his rookie season in 1986, he helped Ginebra win its first ever championship during the 1986 PBA Open Conference. He earned his spot in coach Robert Jaworski's rotation as a reliable backcourt defender and his valuable contributions on defense helped the Gin Kings win two more championships in 1988 and 1991.
Prior to the start of 1992 PBA season, he was traded to Pepsi for Tonichi Yturri, and then to Shell Rimula-X in exchange for Gido Babilonia and Leo Austria. He helped the Oilers win the 1992 First Conference championship against the San Miguel Beermen. He stayed with the team until the 1993 season.
He retired from playing in the PBA after the 1995 season.
Coaching career
Philippine Basketball League He once mentored teams such as Dr. J. Alcohol / Ana Water Dispenser, Boom Laundry Masters, Montaña Jewels, Blu All Purpose Detergent Kings, and Noosa Shoe Stars. In 1998, while coaching for Doctor J, he won his first ever championship as a coach at the expense of the heavily favored Tanduay team in the 1998–99 2nd PBL Centennial Cup.
Mapua Cardinals Isaac took over as Mapua's head coach prior to the 2007 season. He led the Cardinals to back-to-back Final 4 slots wherein during both appearances they were at #4. His records with them were 6–6 and 9–5, respectively.
Barako Bull Energy Boosters In 2009, Isaac was hired as head coach for the Barako Bull Energy Boosters in the PBA after Yeng Guiao resigned and later moved to Burger King Whoppers. His chief lieutenants were Raymund Celis and Ariel Vanguardia. He was then succeeded by Junel Baculi after coaching just one season.
Arellano University He led them to several titles including the NCRAA championship in 2007. After a season coaching Red Bull, in 2010 he once again coached the Chiefs, this time, in the NCAA for two seasons.
Blackwater Elite (PBA D-League) In 2011, Isaac was appointed head coach of the Blackwater Elite, one of the founding franchises in the newly formed PBA Developmental League. He helped the Elite win its first and only championship against the NLEX Road Warriors during the 2013 PBA D-League Foundation Cup and in the process, earned the distinction as the only team who beat the Road Warriors in the Finals.
Blackwater Elite (PBA) In 2014, Isaac was retained as the team's head coach after team owner Dioceldo Sy elevated his franchise as an expansion team in the PBA. He is expected to inject the "never-say-die" experience that he got from his playing years with Ginebra. However, his team was winless in the Philippine Cup, with 0–11 win–loss record. In his first season with the Elite, he compiled a 6–27 win–loss record.
Coaching record
Collegiate record Season Team Elimination round PlayoffsGPWLPCTFinishGPWLPCTResults2007 MIT 12 6 6 .500 4th 1 0 1 .500 Semifinals2008 MIT14 9 5 .643 4th 4 2 2 .500 Semifinals2010 AU16 6 10 .375 6th – – – – Eliminated2011 AU 18 6 12 .333 7th – – – – Eliminated Totals 60 27 33 .450 5 2 3 .400 0 championships
Professional record Season Team Conference Elimination/classification round PlayoffsGWLPCTFinishPGWLPCTResults2008–09 Barako Bull Fiesta 12 2 10 .143 10th 1 0 1 .000 Wildcard phase2014–15 Blackwater Philippine Cup 11 0 11 .000 12th — ———Eliminated Commissioner's Cup 11 3 8 .273 12th — ———Eliminated Governors' Cup 11 3 8 .273 12th — ———Eliminated2015–16BlackwaterPhilippine Cup1138.27310th101.000Quarterfinals (1st phase)Commissioner's Cup1138.27310th————EliminatedGovernors' Cup11110.91012th————Eliminated2016–17BlackwaterPhilippine Cup1156.4559th————EliminatedCommissioner's Cup1129.18211th————EliminatedGovernors' Cup1156.4558th211.500Quarterfinals2017–18BlackwaterPhilippine Cup1156.45510th————EliminatedCommissioner's Cup303.000 (fired)—————Career totals1253293.256Playoff totals413.2500 championships
In other media He was also a PBA commentator during the 2003 season. Outside of basketball, he is also an avid analyst of horse racing.
References