Arwind Santos admitted that the San Miguel Beermen find it hard to adjust whenever import-laden conferences come by, and that has been the case for them in the ongoing 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Beermen suffered their fifth loss in seven outings in the mid-season joust on Sunday evening after being shocked by CJ Perez and Columbian, 134-132. That also marked the second straight time this season they lost to the Dyip.
“Pagka may import talaga, ang San Miguel nahihirapan mag-adjust. Like ako, minsan hindi mo alam kung ika-kwatro mo ako, ite-tres mo ako. Yung position ni June Mar [Fajardo] tsaka nung import namin, halos pareho,” admitted the 2013 league Most Valuable Player.
“Minsan hindi nagiging effective, minsan effective.”
It’s no secret, though, that it is Santos who usually takes a backseat in import-laced lists. And his numbers prove as much, especially in this conference, where he currently averages 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
But Santos’ confession is in no way a shot at Charles Rhodes, who has been a consistent cog for San Miguel with per-game averages of 26.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in this tilt. For him, it is the coaches who should address this.
“Ang coach dapat ang makakagawa ng paraan, hindi kami.”
The Beermen are now in a precarious spot following the loss. Santos admitted that this is an ugly place for them to be, but it will not affect their hopes of making it into the next round – even if they may be a lower-ranked squad.
“O, 2-5, Paskong-Pasko.
“Ah, ayun nga, hindi kami masaya doon sa 2-5. Kahit ano lang, mapunta lang kami sa Top Eight… Yung eighth na lang, yung eighth position na lang. Kasi na-experience ko rin naman mangarap ng mataas eh,” he expressed.
“Ngayon, pangarapin muna namin yung Top Eight lang, tapos lalabanan namin yung number one, twice-to-beat. Tapos tatalunin namin, parang ganoon na lang siguro. Doon muna kami mag-start,” the 38-year-old Santos said. “‘Wag muna kami mag-hangad ng malaki, doon muna kami sa maliit.”
