Arwind Santos was one of the heroes who helped NorthPort stop the remaining unbeaten streak in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup on Thursday night.
The 40-year-old came through on defense in the final seconds, blocking opposing import Mike Harris twice as the Batang Pier eventually beat Magnolia in a 103-101 nail-biter to deal the league leader its first loss after a 6-0 start.
Santos went on to finish with 14 points, eight rebounds, and a game-high four blocks in the 41 minutes and 11 seconds he played, as they won their second in a row after dropping their first five games of the season-ending meet.
NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio couldn’t be any prouder with the heart shown by the former Most Valuable Player in their second win in a row.
And that’s because Santos, according to the veteran mentor, wasn’t at a hundred percent. He has been nursing a sprained ankle.
“Si Arwind is playing 70-percent lang, pero ‘yung puso ng bata, grabe,” he said during the post-match presser at the Ynares Center
“May sprain siya. Maga pa paa nun. Kahit makita niyo ngayon, maga pa paa nun. May sakit pa,” he furthered.
Jarencio actually asked Santos if he could play, since he did not partake in the Batang Pier’s practice. But, there’s no stopping the veteran forward.
“Hindi siya nag-practice sa’min, pero nakikita niya yung ginagawa namin, yung defensive schemes, ‘yung offense. Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Laro ka ba?’ Sabi niya, ‘Oo, laro ako.’ Ganun ka-simple lang,” he said.
And there was really no stopping the nine-time champion, as he turned down Jarencio’s suggestion to sub him out when the Hotshots were in the midst of a furious comeback that saw them climb all the way from a 19-point hole.
“Nakita mo naman. Nung pumutok ‘yung ano, sabi ko, ‘Ano, Wind, labas kita? O stay ka na?’ ‘De, tatapusin ko.’ Ganun yung Arwind Santos,” he said.
Jarencio was indeed all praises for Santos, who he said has been an inspiration to the younger Batang Pier — and a big help to the coaches, too.
“Inspired sila sa kanya, kasi parang ginagawa nilang leader siya — lahat, hindi lang inside the court, outside the court din,” he said. “Happy lang sila, laro lang, ganyan, na kasama nila si Arwind na alam nila makikipagpalitan ng mukha.
“Which is favorable to us, pati kami sa mga coaches, dahil nga may isang Arwind Santos. May isang leader na rin sa players’ side.”
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