ARWIND Santos won't deny that he misses donning the San Miguel Beer jersey especially after watching his former team in action against Barangay Ginebra during Game 3 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
Just watching the game from the ringside of the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the now 44-year-old forward said he still vividly knows exactly where to position and what to do had he been playing with the Beermen.
READ: Lassiter appreciates Arwind, Cabagnot presence despite Game 3 loss
Santos of course, suited up for more than a decade for the flagship team of the San Miguel Corporation franchise, where he won a total of nine championships and a season MVP award.
His no. 29 jersey was formally retired by the team last year.
“Kahit hindi ako naglalaro at nanonood lang ako, nakikita ko saan ako dapat pu-position, kung saan ako he-help kung andun ako sa loob,” said the ‘Spiderman.’
Asked if he misses the playoff atmosphere, he was quick to reply with certainty.
“Oo naman, hindi naman natin makakaila yun,” said Santos, who is now teammates with Cabagnot with the Basilan Viva Portmasters in the MPBL. “Ganun talaga, nakaka-miss.”
What made him miss playing for San Miguel even more was the 100-90 loss it absorbed against Barangay Ginebra to fall 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
The Pampanga native said he believes the health of former frontcourt partner June Mar Fajardo and the contributions of the rest of the Beermen are all crucial if the team would turn the series around.
Fajardo is currently nursing a calf injury which he sustained in the series opener.
“Kailangan lang healthy, kasi nakita ko si June Mar may ini-inda. Alam naman natin malaking bagay si June Mar sa San Miguel,” Santos shared of the eighth-time league MVP.
“Nakita ko ang ganda ng nilaro ni Trollano, si (Chris) Ross, si June Mar maganda rin ang laro. Kailangan marami kahawig nung Game 2 halos lahat sila nag step up. Dapat ganun.”
San Miguel won Game 2 by a blowout, 100-83, as six players finished in double figures led by the 16 points of veteran gunner Marcia Lassiter.
Both Santos and Cabagnot no longer went inside the San Miguel dugout following the loss.
“Kung nanalo, baka pumasok pa ako. Kaso talo, e,” said the former UAAP MVP out of Far Eastern University and member of the PBA 50 Greatest Players.
But he’s confident the top seeded Beermen will be able to battle back against the Kings.
“Alam naman natin na hindi ganun kadali kalaban ang Ginebra. Pero alam ko makakabalik ang mga yan,” said Santos in parting.
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