Twelve-year pro Arwind Santos has simply decided not to dwell anymore on his near-brawl with Jericho Cruz near the end of San Miguel Beermen’s quaterfinal clash with TNT Katropa, Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Santos and Cruz engaged in a tussle with just 1:20 left to play and with everything all but settled in favor of SMB, when Cruz apparently hit Santos at the back of his head following the latter’s nudge after Chris Ross’ lay-up.
Santos was slapped a technical foul — his second in the game that got him ejected — while Cruz incurred a flagrant foul penalty one. The 6-foot-4 forward finished the game with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals, and four blocks.
“Sa totoo lang gusto ko na kalimutan,” said Santos after their 106-93 win. “Kanina, pagkatapos ng nangyari kanina sa loob, sobrang mainit ang ulo namin pareho. Kahit ako, nandoon talaga ‘yung parang gusto mong gumanti.
“Pero… Naisip ko pa rin na in the end, isa kami sa mga pinapanood at hinahangaan ng mga kabataan. Kailangan, maging magandang halimbawa kami sa kanila, at isa ‘yun sa mga prinsipyo ko,” he added.
Instead of holding on to what happened, the former league Most Valuable Player disclosed that he knew that he also had a hand that fueled the altercation. That was why he prayed for forgiveness while forgiving his junior for what happened.
“Kanina, eto nung nasa dugout kami, nag-pray kami, humingi ako ng patawad sa nangyari, and inamin ko na may kasalanan ako at pinapatawad ko si Jericho, kasi ganoon lang talaga. Hindi namin mapipigilan minsan ‘yung emosyon namin dahil pareho namin gustong manalo,” he shared.
“Yun lang ‘yun, trabaho lang namin.”
