FORMER PBA star and now Basilan Starhorse forward Arwind Santos believes he was treated unjustly by the MPBL after being sanctioned for throwing a punch that left a deep cut on the eyelid of Gensan big man Tonton Bringas.
Santos bared that though he admitted to throwing a punch, he believes that the indefinite ban and P100,000 penalty handed down by the league was way too much considering he only reacted to the 'dirty plays' of Bringas.
“Gumanti lang naman ako kasi nasasaktan na ko. Nagkataon lang napuruhan siya pero bakit ganun, 'yung nagsimula ng gulo, wala man lang kahit ano? Ako na gumanti lang… ang tindi ng parusa,” said the 2013 PBA MVP.
READ Arwin Santos' penalty upgraded to indefinite ban, P100,000 fine
“Parang ang tindi naman ng hatol. Buti sana kung out of nowhere sinapak ko lang siya. Hindi eh. Nakita nyo naman sa nagvi-viral na video ako ng ilang ulit na binibira. Hindi lang yun actually, all game long na 'yun,” he added.
Santos also pointed to the history of violent plays involving GenSan players, rattling off the names of Warriors Michole Sorela, Rene Pacquiao and now Bringas who have all been involved in oncourt fights.
Sorela was banned for life from the MPBL for punching Jonas Tibayan of the Mindoro Tamaraws while Pacquiao was accused of elbowing Miles Canal of Bacolod.
LOOK: Tonton Bringas eye injury from Arwind Santos punch in MPBL
“May trend din kasi.. Ako kilala nyo naman ako kahit sa PBA, hindi n'yo ko mababalitaan na nai-involve sa ganyan. Binatukan ako sa UAAP, sinakal ako ng kakampi ko [sa PBA], nakita nyo ba ko nag-react ng bayolente? Dito lang kasi nasasaktan na ko,” he said.
“Iba kasi yung pisikalan sa sakitan. Ibang-iba 'yun,” added the former FEU star.
Asked if he will appeal the indefinite ban and the P100,000 fine, Santos said he’d leave it up to the management of Basilan which has already released a statement branding as unfair the sanctions handed down on their 44-year old veteran.
“Nakausap ko boss Jackson (Chua), sabi nya mag-appeal. Pero ang akin, bakit ganun? Sana nag imbestiga muna mabuti,” he said.
Santos has also asked the MPBL to re-evaluate how the games are being handled.
“Dumadalas ang suntukan at sakitan. Sana kung pisikalan allowed, wag i-allow yung dirty plays. Iba kasi physical sa nanuntok, naniniko sa mukha, ulo at sikmura. Hindi na basketball yun,” he said.
See Basilan statement:
And what are his plans vis a vis the MPBL ban?
“Wait ko siguro desisyon. Pero sana hindi naman indefinite [ang ban], hindi matagal kasi gusto ko pa maglaro,” said the former San Miguel star. "Kaya nga I keep myself in shape."
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