It was a tough Saturday night for the San Miguel Beermen as they got mauled by a fiery TNT KaTropa squad. The defeat dragged them down to 0-2 in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But Arwind Santos got a reason to smile despite the tough beating.
A group of San Miguel die-hards waited outside the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. As soon as Santos emerged, they sang him a happy birthday, with balloons and a cake present.
Santos will turn 38 on June 10. He may have gotten a really early birthday treat – two days early, to be exact – but he’s still immensely grateful for the kind gestures from his supporters.
“Masaya ako dahil sa mga simpleng bagay na ginagawa nila, na-aappreciate ko yun,” he said. “Kaya ‘pag may mga events sila, minsan talaga binibigyan ko ng oras para makabawi sa kanila.
“Ramdam ko naman ang suporta nila. Minsan, kapag may times na kailangan nila ang tulong ko, binabalik ko yung tulong sa kanila. Dahil ganoon talaga yang mga yan eh.”
“Minsan kapag may mga birthday kami, minsan pumupunta sila sa mga practice. Naka-suporta talaga. Kaya sobrang thank you sa kanila,” added the 12-year league veteran out of FEU.
The fans showered Santos with love when they gave him the surprise treat. For the decorated cager, he believes that his approach with them is what makes their support unwavering.
Santos said that he doesn’t treat them as mere fans, but like friends.
“‘Di ko sila tinitreat na parang fan eh. Parang kaibigan lang kung makipag-usap. May time na kapag nakikipag-usap, nagtatanong, sasagutin ko. Yun lang,” said the Pampanga native.
“‘Di na parang malayo yung gap, pare-pareho lang tayong tao. Magkaiba lang kami ng posisyon pero ‘di dapat tignan natin yung mga yun as a fan. Ituring natin sila parang mga kaibigan.
“Kasi, yung effort na ginagawa nila … Imbis na ipinang-iipon para mapanood ka lang, suportahan … Bibilhan ka pa ng cake,” added Santos, genuinely grateful for the gift he received.
For his birthday wish, all Santos wants is for him and the rest of the Beermen to stay healthy.
“Lagi lang kami healthy, ang San Miguel. Kasi sa ganitong propesyon namin, minsan talagang pagka ang katawan pagod, may tendency na ma-injure,” said Santos, as the Beermen haven’t recovered yet from their 2019 Philippine Cup conquest just three weeks ago.
“Sana lagi kami ligtas sa bawat game namin. Okay lang ma matatalo, basta walang na-iinjure o nasasaktan.’
