Arwind Santos’ trade from San Miguel to NorthPort last November 8 literally came out of nowhere.
After spending 12 years with the Beermen and winning nine championships, a season MVP, and a couple of Finals MVP plums there, many thought that the 40-year-old Santos would retire there.
But there was always a part in Santos – who started his career with Air21 back in 2006 – that always reminded him that nothing is permanent in this world.
Photo by PBA Images
“Ang message ko lang sa loyal fans ng San Miguel at loyals fans ko, huwag na tayo… Tanggapin na lang natin ‘yung nangyari,” he pleaded during an episode of The Game. “Ganun talaga.
“Enjoy na lang natin next season kung sa’n man akong team. Sana lagi kayong nakasuporta at tanggapin lang natin ‘yung nangyayari sa buhay natin dahil walang permanente sa mundo,” the two-time Best Player of the Conference continued.
“So, move on. “
Santos also reminded the fans that the memories will never fade.
Of course, there’s the nine championships that included five straight Philippine Cup crowns.
And then there’s the ‘Kamay ng Diyos’.
“Yung ‘Kamay ng Diyos’ ang pinaka-memorable para sa akin,” recalling his dagger three against Alaska during Game Seven of the 2015 Philippine Cup Finals.
“Tapos ‘yung solid na Death Five na in and out… Grabe ‘yung samahan namin nina June Mar [Fajardo], [Chris] Ross, Marcio [Lassiter], at Alex [Cabagnot],” he continued about the memories he will cherish while wearing San Miguel’s iconic red and black. “Grabe ‘yung samahan namin. Kaya tuwing may dumarating na bagong players, sumusunod sila sa ginagawa namin.
“Marami kaming championship na nakuha kaya sobrang hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yung lineup na ‘yun.”
Definitely, it’s an end of an era for not just San Miguel and the PBA.
But even if nothing is permanent, Santos also believes in the saying, never say never. And he hinted that he might eventually still end his career as a Beerman.
“Hindi natin masasabi na puwedeng bumalik ako doon. Hindi natin masabi ‘di ba? Pero kahit sa’n man ako, ibibigay ko lagi ang best ko para sa inyo.”
