Just moments after making big shots that sent Game Two of the San Miguel Beermen-Barangay Ginebra San Miguel match to overtime, former league Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos got caught by the TV cameras taunting somebody from the stands.
The shots that he made in the final minutes of the fourth quarter were both triples. And after each trey, Santos was seen widening his right eye with his fingers, and apparently smiling.
“Minsan kasi, may fans kasi na hindi ko naman gustong patulan,” said Santos, a 12-year pro. “May isang fan na nangaasar sa’kin. Yung time na yun, kasi nga ang sama ng ano ko, tinatawag niya pangalan ko, rinig na rinig ko, pero di ko siya tinitignan.
“Pero kung asaran rin lang, pinanganak akong mangaasar eh,” added the six-time PBA champion.
“Eh nung huli, naka-shoot ako, parang ang sarap mang-asar. Binalikan ko siya tapos nakikita ko siya ganon ganon.”
Santos got the best of that heckler, as he and the Beermen emerged victorious, 104-102, and are now up 2-0 in their 2018 Philippine Cup semifinal series. The 36-year-old forward finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
But the native of Angeles, Pampaga insisted that he’s not taking it personal with that detractor, saying that it’s all just a part of basketball.
“Ganoon talaga basketball ‘di ba?,” he added. “Eh yun, ‘di naman ano yun. Walang personalan yun sa fans. Minsan lang yin sa’ming mga players.
“Minsan gusto lang namin silang patulan, pero walang personalan.“
Moreover, Santos does not want that event to shadow his and his teammates’ celebrations over the big win. The 10-time All-Star had nothing but kind words to say about his teammates for the effort they showed.
“Dito pumapasok na hindi lang effort ng isa ng dalawa ng tatlo — yung lima na naglalaro. Kami yon, yung lima na yon, na hindi bumitaw hanggang dulo. [Lahat] pagod na eh,” said Santos, who’s norming 16.5 points and 9.0 boards in the series.
“Nandoon parin talaga yung mental toughness na binigay namin. Talagang kailangan makapag-focus pa rin kami eh. Kaunti nalang eh. Bakit pa kami bibitaw?” added the 6-foot-4 cager.
“Mabuti naman nakuha namin.”
