Seeing Arwind Santos working with players who have surnames like ‘Pingris,’ ‘Miranda,’ and ‘Lassiter’ may not come as a surprise.
However, this time, the 6-foot-4 Pampanga native isn’t playing with Marc, Denok, and Marcio, but is now a mentor to their sons Mic, CP, and Mante as an assistant coach of Far Eastern University-Diliman in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament.
The nine-time PBA champion, who changed how the forward position is played both in the UAAP and the PBA, is glad to have finally accepted the call to give back to the Baby Tamaraws after multiple invitations over the years.
“In fact, matagal na akong ino-offeran,” Santos shared. “Pero dahil gusto ko maglaro, ako yung hindi pa makapag-commit sa kanila. Ngayon, nakapag-commit na ako. Kinausap pa ako dati ni Denok at sila Sir Anton (Montinola) na tumulong kaya nandito na ako ngayon.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Santos is focused on teaching the finer points of the game.
“Ako dun lang ako sa mga bagay na pwede ituro: yung mga maliliit na bagay talaga tulad ng pano dumipensa nang maayos, yung kaunting gulang, kung pano babasahin—yung ang concern ko sa team.”
Being a coach in the Philippines is no easy task, as everyone has an opinion on how things should be done.
This challenge is amplified by the fact that Santos’ current students are the sons of venerated PBA pros—many of whom are his former peers.
Despite this, his goal is to help these young players improve, even if that means having open conversations with their fathers about their performances.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Normal na nangyayari yan,” said Santos, who was the UAAP Season 65 Rookie of the Year. “Honest akong nagsasabi sa kanila kung ano yung kulang at dapat pang i-improve ng kanilang mga anak. Same thing sa ibang players, na alam at naintindihan nila na kaming mga coaches dito, wala kaming reason na pag nakita namin na yung mga anak ninyo karapat-dapat maglaro, bibigyan namin ng will yan. Talagang mabababad yan.”
Santos added, “Pero yung anak niyo, kung hindi ginagamit, sana wag sumama loob niyo dahil may dahilan ang mga coaches.”
Although Santos last played for Pampanga in the MPBL last season, he admits he still has the itch to play in Asia’s oldest professional basketball league, the PBA.
He remains hopeful for a call, but in the meantime, he stays in shape and contributes to FEU-Diliman.
It’s unclear if any PBA team will sign the 17-year veteran, but Santos has already begun his post-playing career with his beloved alma mater and fellow UAAP champion Denok Miranda.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Naninibago [ako] siyempre dahil gusto ko pa rin maglaro at the same time,” Santos admitted. “Pero sayang yung opportunity dahil wala naman akong ginagawa so far.
“Nag-commit ako maging assistant coach ni Denok at makatulong sa mga bata at mai-share natin yung knowledge natin.”
Santos is optimistic about the Baby Tamaraws’ potential this season.
“Ngayon kasi yung team namin may chance mag-champion. Kailangan lang namin maituro ang mga maliliit na bagay para mai-apply talaga sa game. Kailangan lang alamin ng mga players saan kami aatake, kung pano kami dedepensa nang maayos.”
Aside from coaching, Santos is also keeping himself conditioned by practicing with the team, revealing, “Sumasabay din ako sa practice nila at the same time kasi may balak pa akong bumalik sa PBA.”
As one of the most decorated players in both the UAAP and PBA, Santos understands the importance of instilling the right mindset in his young players. For him, success starts with how they approach practice.
“Palagi kong shine-share sa kanila na wag nila sayangin yung oras, lalo na kapag pumupunta sila sa practice,” the one-time PBA MVP said. “Kailangan focused yung katawan nila, nakapagpahinga sila nang maayos at yung mindset nila.
“Kung anuman ang problema na meron kayo, kailangan iwan niyo yan. Di yan dinadala sa practice. Wala dapat kayong dahilan. Kung may reason kang mawawala ka ng gana at focus, much better na wag ka na mag-ensayo. Yan ang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila.”
