San Miguel forward Arwind Santos was at the wrong moment when Meralco rookie Chris Newsome delivered his first pro highlight Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum: an electrifying poster dunk.
Newsome received a good pass from Jared Dillinger during a fastbreak attempt in the third quarter, gathered, and threw down a tomahawk slam which put Santos from Vine to YouTube to other social media platforms.
Santos admitted he did not see the dunk coming, not having followed the high-flying Newsome’s amateur career.
“Hindi ko akalain na lilipad yun ng ganun e. Yung talon ko kanina, challenge na hilaw, akala ko layup lang. Lumilipad pala yung bata. Hindi ko nasubaybayan yun sa UAAP,” Santos said, having no idea about Newsome’s incredible bounce.
“Para sa akin, lesson yun e. Hindi komo ikaw nasa posisyon na yan, yung mga ganun dapat paghandaan mo pa rin and focus ka pa rin. Nagfocus na lang ako sa game and mas lalo akong ginanahan. Ngiti pa rin ako, ganun naman talaga.”
Santos managed to lead the Beermen to a 101-85 win over the Bolts, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Newsome meanwhile, basked in the moment of what he considers is a virtual welcome to the big league.
“It felt great. This is my PBA debut so it’s just good to have a highlight like that on opening day,” the former Ateneo Blue Eagle said.
“Anytime someone gets a dunk, it is always seen as one of the greatest highlights in basketball, and that is probably the highlight that announced I am finally in the PBA and in this level.”
Newsome impressed in his PBA debut, scoring 14 points and adding 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 34:31 of action. He was also able to shrug off a left ankle sprain and managed to return late in the fourth although his team succumbed.
The Bolts wing man added getting denied by Santos in the first half somehow added fuel to the fire, and the perfect moment came for him to get back.
“I kind of went back to the play in the first half where he blocked me and I figured he was going to try to go for another one so I thought I would challenge him to an air battle and I was fortunate that (the dunk) went in.”
It was surely something to enjoy, and more importantly a portent of things to come for Newsome and the Bolts.
