Arwind Santos is leaving his future in the hands of Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda.
The 42-year-old said that his next destination rests on his “tatay-tatayan” after finding himself without a PBA team two months prior to Season 48.
“Sabi ni Boss Danny (agent Danny Espiritu), hinihintay niya rin ang abiso ng tatay-tatayan ko,” said the former league MVP.
“Kasi wala na sa akin ‘yung plano e, nasa tatay-tatayan ko na. Binigay ko na.”
Santos made headlines recently after joining Pampanga ahead of the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) playoffs.
Fans and pundits were surprised with the move, given that he’d been in Asia’s pioneering pro league since being picked 2nd overall in 2006.
But not being offered a new contract by NorthPort after his old deal expired last August allowed him to join the Giant Lanterns as an unrestricted free agent.
It also reunited Santos with Gov. Pineda, and that’s when he chose to just let the long-time sportsman choose what’s best for him moving forward.
“‘Baka pwede mo ‘kong dalhin sa Converge.’ Binibiro ko siyang ganun,” he said with a smile. “It’s up to you, sabi ko sa kanya.
“Kaya wala na sa akin ‘yung pressure, nasa tatay-tatayan ko na.”
It’s not just the MPBL, though, that’s keeping Santos busy.
Just last Sunday, the Kapampangan legend was formally introduced as the commissioner of National Basketball Championship Inter-High (NBCIH).
Dabbling into an executive role plus his ongoing MPBL stint could actually be enough reasons to call it quits on his PBA career, Santos said.
“Minsan, pagka nag-eenjoy na ‘ko, malay mo, nag-eenjoy na ‘ko sa pagiging commissioner ko rito o sa MPBL, baka ‘di na rin ako bumalik,” he said.
But if given the chance, Santos would still want to go back to the PBA and taste glory once more before riding off into the sunset.
“Meron pa rin akong reason para makabalik ng PBA: ‘yun ‘yung gusto ko pa rin magretiro sa liga. ‘Yun ‘yon,” said the nine-time league champion.
“‘Di natin masabi e, kung pwede ba ‘kong mag-San Miguel pa, makapaglaro pa ng ilang games doon, makapag-champion pa. Para mas magandang exit.”
