ARWIND Santos is not too thrilled seeing the jersey numbers of San Miguel greats worn by present-day Beermen.
The former PBA MVP said he was surprised to see the jersey numbers of Danny Seigle (42) and Alex Cabagnot (5) worn by new Beermen import Ivan Aska and Allyn Bulanadi, respectively.
“Hindi pa ba nire-retire yun (yung jerseys)?” Santos said In an interview with SPIN.ph shortly after hisPampanga Giant Lanterns dominated the Bacoor City Strikers in Game One of the MPBL National Finals,
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“Hindi yun okay para sa akin. Kasi jersey numbers nila. Respeto ang tawag dun. Sa kanila yun eh, jersey number nila (Seigle and Cabagnot) yun,” added the former FEU star whose jersey was already retired by the UAAP school.
Santos agreed that current players can use jersey numbers not retired by the team. But he wished the two numbers are treated with more respect.
There are also some teams and players who refrain from using iconic jersey numbers, like Maverick Ahanmisi who opted to go for a No. 00 jersey instead of his usual number 30, in deference to Ginebra great Eric Menk.
Menk’s jersey has yet to be retired by the Kings, where Robert Jaworki and Allan Caidic’s numbers are the only ones honored.
At San Miguel, among the jersey numbers retired are those of Samboy Lim, Yves Dignadice, Hector Calma, Olsen Racela, Mon Fernandez and Caidic.
“Ano pakiramdam ko at iba na ang may suot nung jersey numbers nila? Syempre, di maganda. Di ako sang-ayon na gamitin ang jersey number ng isang Danny Seigle (o Alex Cabagnot). Siguro nakalimutan lang nila (management),” said the outspoken Santos.
“Pinahintulutan naman siguro ng management. Pero wala tayo magagawa. Pero ewan ko pano nangyari yun? Magugulat ka talaga,” added the 42-year old.
Santos pointed out that respect should be given to the two former Beermen for their rare contributions to the campaign of the team, especially in winning championships and drawing more fans.
Arwind's wish
“Syempre, rare yung contribution nila (sa San Miguel). Ang daming championships. Hindi rin biro yung magagandang iniwan nilang memories at championship sa team,” said Santos.
“Bakit ginamit ang mga numbers? Kahit naman ako itatanong ko yun, bakit nga naman pinagamit pa?” said the Lubao-born player.
Seigle was instrumental in six San Miguel championships from 1999-2011 while Cabagnot was an original member of the famed ‘Death Five' alongside Santos.
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Asked if he would want to one day see his No. 29 jersey retired at San Miguel, Santos didn't think twice.
“Pangarap ko na ma-i-retire ko ang jersey number 29 ko sa San Miguel. Sana yung ‘Death 5’ din,” said Santos, who was part of that powerhouse quintet with Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross and June Mar Fajardo.
Santos said he is not yet losing hope that he could one day return for a farewell tour at San Miguel.
“Oo, yun ang pangarap ko. Gusto ko ring mag-retire duon. Sana bago ako makapag-retire makapaglaro pa kahit minimal games dun (sa San Miguel),” said Santos.
Santos was traded to the Northport Batang Pier on November 8, 2021 for Vic Manuel while Cabagnot was traded a second time by the Beermen to Terrafirma Dyip on the same year.
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