EXCEPT for a recent anomalous injury, Arwind Santos has been one of the most durable players in the PBA. What’s more impressive is how the 41-year-old veteran models longevity even with a heavy workload.
According to chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III in a 2020 column, the Northport forward and PBA Ironman LA Tenorio are the only players who have played at least 1,000 minutes in each of their 13 seasons in the PBA, at least 1,200 actually for Santos.
So how long can Santos keep this up?
Asked on SPIN Zoom In how many years he feels he still has left on the tank – if he can go as far as the great Robert Jaworski, who played his last game at 51, Santos believes he can play for three more years.
Arwind Santos on retirement talk
“Fifty years old? Hindi siguro,” Santos said. “Kaya kong paabutin, pero nung time naman kasi ni idol Jawo, hindi siya mahaba maglaro, sundot-sundot na lang. Ako kasi, ang tinitingnan ko, gusto ko gamit na gamit pa din ako. Ayaw ko yung nandudun na lang ako sa team na hindi na ako ginagamit.”
“Gusto ko nakakatulong pa rin ako sa team,” the 2013 league MVP added. “Ayaw ko yung display na lang ako. Lalo kasi alam kong kaya ko pa.”
“Ine-expect ko mga hanggang 2025, pwede na siguro,” he continued.
The second overall pick in the 2006 Draft, Santos is the fourth-oldest among active players behind Asi Taulava, Rafi Reavis, and Reynel Hugnatan.
But among them, Santos is the only one who is still seeing starter’s playing time. After all, he was a remarkable eighth in the Philippine Cup in minutes at 35.3 per game in 11 outings.
Santos, though, recently sustained a minor knee injury in the Commissioner’s Cup that caused him to miss his first game in three years, seventh overall this conference- and just the 18th game over his 16-year career, according to Mangonon.
Still, it’s an anomaly in a healthy career.
“God is good. Wala naman akong (major) injury,” Santos said. “Mga dali-daliri lang naman. Siguro I still perform. Tsaka lagi ko sinusukat yung bilis eh, yung bilis ko, yung talon ko, yung lakas ko, lagi ko sinusukat yan. Syempre ako makakaalam niyan eh. Hindi naman ibang tao. Kung talagang kaya ko pang sumabay.”
Santos, though, doesn’t mind seeing other veterans who drag their careers on despite already getting stuck on the bench.
“Pwede din naman yun,” Santos said. “Kagaya nila Mark Caguioa. Pag nakikita mo sila, nabubuhay yung mga fans. Tapos yung respeto ng players. Yung mga wisdom of words nila na pagka-nagbitaw sila, syempre Mark Caguioa yan eh.”
“Pero ako lang, ang sinasabi ko lang naman, kung may chance lang naman, iba pa rin yung nagsasalita ako, nai-inspire ko yung teammates ko, at the same time, nakakapaglaro ka rin,” he added.
“Ayaw ko yung nagsasalita lang. Sana naging coach na lang din ako” he continued with a chuckle. “Pero ang gusto ko nandudun pa rin ako sa rotation. Para sa akin, mas masarap yung nagsasalita ka, sinasabi mo, tinuturo mo sa player yung sinasabi mo na, ‘Ganito depensa.’ Pero ikaw, dahil healthy ka, napapakita mo yung tama. Mas tutularan nila yun.”
A fan on SPIN Zoom In even posted a follow-up comment on Santos’ 2025 target, saying the pride of Angeles, Pampanga should add one more year for an even 20-year career.
“Oh sige, sabi mo eh. Ide-demand ko na sa agent ko na paabutin niya ng 2026. Problema na ni boss Danny (Espiritu) ngayon yan,” he ended with a smile.
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