DEFENDING champion San Miguel gets back one of its MVPs in the team’s regular roster just in time for the Beermen’s big showdown against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday in the PBA Governors Cup.
Versatile forward Arwind Santos was reactivated from the injury list after missing the team’s first four games in the season-ending conference following arthroscopic surgery on his knee.
Santos has rejoined the Beermen in practice and was actually the one who told coach Leo Austria that he is ready to play in their 6:45 p.m. showdown against the Kings at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Pasundot-sundot pa lang naman sa practice, pero ako mismo nag-suggest kay coach na kaya ko nang lumaro,” said the former league MVP after practice on Thursday.
Santos admitted he’s definitely not yet in peak form, but knows his body too well for him to decide he can already play his first game in the season-ending conference.
“Hindi pa talaga totally 100 percent, pero alam mo naman sa sarili mo kung kaya mo na o hindi,” stressed the former Far Eastern University star.
Austria however, is not in a hurry to play Santos heavy minutes especially with the Beermen at 3-1 behind Ginebra (4-1) and unbeaten leaders Mahindra (4-0) and TNT Katropa (4-0).
“Basta ang sabi niya mag-load ka ng stamina kasi kakapain ko pa (yung kundisyon ko),” said Santos of what his coach told him about his comeback.
“Although hindi naman siya nagmamadali. Naiintindihan naman niya yung sitwasyon ko.”
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