Arwind Santos really has a knack for making bold predictions. He even gets it right most of the time.
Back in Game Three of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals last Sunday, when his San Miguel lost to Magnolia and dropped to a 1-2 deficit in the series, Santos wasn’t fazed. He simply asserted that they will be able to tie the series in the next game.
“Wala yan. Hindi kami kinakabahan sa ganiyan. Ita-tie lang namin yan, sisiguraduhin namin na mananalo kami ng Game Four. Tapos best-of-three ang usapan,” said the 2013 league Most Valuable Player after their 82-86 loss.
Game Four then came on Wednesday night. And Santos was right.
With June Mar Fajardo showing the form that got him his sixth straight Best Player of the Conference award, unloading 31 points and 14 rebounds, the Beermen won decisively, 114-98, to tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
“O ‘di ba, tabla na?
“Hindi naman kami nag-relax para hindi maitabla. Talagang ginawa namin ang lahat, lalo na si June Mar. Tsaka yung rebound, nanalo kami sa rebound ngayon. Maliliit na bagay na pinag-adjustan namin kaya nanalo,” said Santos, who finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists in the win.
Thus, for Game Five this coming Friday, the 37-year-old forward has made yet another bold prediction.
“Game Five? Hindi na natin pwede i-tie yan. Malamang may lalamang. Malamang kami na yun,” he said. “Sana kami na. Magpe-pray kami at magtitiwala kami sa bawat isa para makuha namin yun.
“Lahat kami nakikita ko sa dugout, gigil na gigil kami kasi gusto talaga namin makauna, hindi kami makauna. Sana itong Game Five [amin na].”