Expect Arwind Santos to still do his famous ‘Spider-Man’ dunk once in a while.
This, despite the recent memorandum released by the PBA that restricts players from hanging on and putting their feet on the ring, backboard, and its support from hereon out.
Every player who breaks the new rule will be charged with an unsportsmanlike technical foul starting this 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.
The league’s statement read:
“A player, however, who hangs onto the rim after a dunk and places either or both of his feet onto the backboard, shall be assessed with an unsportsmanlike technical foul.”
Santos said he disagrees with the recent ruling, emphasizing that it has been his trademark in the PBA and he is bent on continuing it amid the rule change.
In fact, Santos said that his teammates support his prominent jam, and are even willing to sponsor the fines he will likely receive when he once again performs the ‘Spider-Man’ slam.
“Ako, hindi ako sang-ayon. Kasi sabi ko nga, sabi nila Alex (Cabagnot) sumuporta rin. Magii-sponsor nga sila na kahit may fine daw, babayaran nila. Nakakatuwa naman. Na-touch ako,” he said.
“Pero ang akin kasi, trademark lang ba. Wala namang masama sa ginagawa ko. Maraming mas pwede nating pagtuunan ng pansin na ipagbawal. ‘Wag na yung Spider-Man dunk.”
Santos also declared he wouldn’t think twice if given the chance, if just for the sake of his fans who enjoy his trademark dunk.
“Mayroon rin kasing mga batang gustong-gusto makita yung Spider-Man dunk, lalo na yung mga fans ko. Kapag may chance, gagawin ko pa rin. Maliban sa alam kong may fine, hindi ko naman sinusuway pero para sa mga fans ko, kapag may pagkakataon, gagawin ko pa rin,” he added.
“Ako, para sa mga fans ko, at tsaka ako, trademark ko yun eh. Habang naglalaro ako, isa yun sa mga maaalala ng mga supporters ko. Kapag may pagkakataon ako, sa back-up ng mga teamamtes ko, gagawin ko pa rin.”
The league released the memo in order to prevent potential injuries, especially given how dangerous it is for league players to hang from the ring.
But Santos still disagrees, emphasizing that accidents are inevitable.
“Kung sinasabi nila na may madidisgrasya, naniniwala ako, kapag madidisgrasya ka, madidisgrasya ka. Di ba? Totoo naman eh,” the 13-year pro said.
“Naniniwala ako kapag madidisgrasya ka… kahit anong ingat mo, sabi ko nga, meron nga dyan natutulog lang sa loob ng bahay, nabagsakan ng eroplano. Nag-iingat o hindi? Ano tawag doon? Aksidente diba? Aksidente. ‘Pag maaaksidente ka, maaksidente ka. ‘Di ka makakaiwas.”
Should Santos suffer an injury by continuing to do the ‘Spider-Man’ dunk, he said that it’s his choice, and it’s his fault.
“Kung sakaling babagsak ako sa Spider-Man dunk, wala akong sisisihin. Baka nakangiti pa akong bumagsak eh, sa totoo lang, ‘pag nangyari yun.”
However, Santos wasn’t smiling after the epic upset San Miguel received at the hands of the vastly-improved Columbian team despite his game-high of 34 points on top of seven rebounds and four blocks.
“Malungkot, natalo. Pero first game lang din naman sabi nga ni coach Leo Austria,” he said.
“Siguro yun lang, nasugatan kami. Mahe-heal na yung sugat na yun pag nanalo kami Sunday. ‘Pag natalo naman kami, lumalalim yung sugat namin. Kailangan bumawi kami. “
