Strike while the iron is hot, as the saying goes
Now that the San Miguel Beermen will head into the Philippine Cup Finals for the fourth straight time, Arwind Santos feels that they have another chance to extend their reign as All-Filipino kings to four years.
“If ever player ka ng PBA, gusto mo gumawa ng history.
“Kami yung may chance na makagawa ng history, bakit hindi namin pagpursigihan at pagtrabahuhan ng sama-sama?,” said the 12-year league veteran.
This comes after the Beermen finished off the Scottie Thompson-led Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 100-94, in Game Five of their best-of-seven semis series, Saturday night at a jam-packed Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
This is the 39th Finals appearance of the storied franchise overall, and their sixth under the watch of reigning, three-time Coach of the Year Leo Austria.
However, Santos — who finished with 11 points and 13 boards in the win — was quick to brush off the victory, as he is aware that maintaining their status as the best All-Filipino crew will not — and will never be — an easy task to fulfill.
“Kailangan na namin kalimutan yun,” the 36-year-old utility forward said. “[Dapat] ‘Wag namin ilagay sa ulo yung mga blessings na dumadating sa’min.
“Lagi lang naming tatandaan na patuloy lang dapat na nakasayad sa lupa ang aming mga paa.”
Santos has enough reasons to be wary for their looming title defense, as their opponent could be either the NLEX Road Warriors or the Magnolia Hotshots — squads that know how to terrorize opponents with their styles of play.
The Road Warriors-Hotshots series is now tied at two games apiece, and is expected to extend longer due to the ultimate chess match ensuing between veteran coach Yeng Guiao and the defensive-oriented Chito Victolero.
And that is why for Santos, the Beermen could not afford to underestimate their opponents, because the last time they did, the league powerhouse were beaten by the Blackwater Elite and nearly got pushed to the edge by the league’s worst team.
“‘Pag inu-underestimate namin yung kalaban, dun pa kami natatalo eh, like yung mga laban namin sa Blackwater, sa Kia… Dapat hindi mangyari yun,” said Santos, who averaged 14.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in the semis.
“Dapat wala kaming mentality na i-underestimate kung sinuman makakaharap namin sa Finals.”
