ONE of Pampanga’s veterans from last season’s champion team won’t be back as the Giant Lanterns defend their title in the sixth season of the MPBL.
Arwind Santos is not returning for another tour of duty with Pampanga as the league founded by boxing legend and former senator Manny Pacquiao opens its new season on Saturday at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.
The 42-year-old forward disclosed he’s not part of the Pampanga team which begins its title defense on April 9 against the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers at the Olivarez College in Paranaque City.
Santos said he’s more than happy seeing the Lanterns win the MPBL championship for the first time ever during his stint with the franchise last season.
“Hindi na ako lalaro sa Pampanga, OK na yung nandun ako sa unang champion nila,” said the former PBA MVP out of San Miguel Beer.
“Para kay Tatay Delta kaya naman ako naglaro noon,” added Santos, referring to his discoverer and mentor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, who is currently governor of Pampanga and head coach of the Giant Lanterns.
Santos mentored a young core at Pampanga composed of league MVP Justine Baltazar, Encho Serrano, Archie Concepcion, Kurt Reyson, among others, who went on and swept the Bacoor Strikers in the best-of-five finals.
But despite no longer in the roster of the Giant Lanterns, Santos said he’ll still be going to the games and personally support Pampanga and his ‘Tatay Delta’ in their quest for back-to-back championships.
“Patuloy ko pa ring susuportahan ang Pampanga at si ‘Tatay’ Delta sa kanilang mga games,” he added.
On what’s next for ‘Spiderman,’ Santos said he just continues to play and stay in tip-top shape.
“Naglalaro pa rin naman ako para kundisyon pa rin,” he said. “Ang Diyos na ang bahala. Sa kanya ko na pinauubaya ang buhay ko.”
What’s certain is that basketball fans haven’t seen yet the last of Arwind Santos.
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