San Miguel Beer forward Arwind Santos likens the team’s 2-0 start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup to sowing the seeds.
“Sine-share ko nga sa kanila (Beermen) na ngayon, para tayong nagpa-plant, kailangan natin itong proketahan,” Santos said as a team with new players, a new name, and new coaches at the helm looked like rejuvenated two games into its campaign.
The 6-foot-4 forward out of Far Eastern University, however, was quick to warn that the Beermen can expect trials and tribulations along the way as the import-laced conference enters its most crucial stages.
And unlike in the last Philippine Cup when the Beermen, then carrying the Petron name, got off to a 7-0 (win-loss) start only to fade in the playoffs, Santos said the team must finish what it has started.
“Sa pag-grow, marami talagang typhoon at baha, so kailangan lalo tayong maging malakas kapag dumarating ang mga bagay na iyun,” added the 32-year-old reigning league MVP, who has averaged 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals in the team’s first two games.
Santos hopes the personnel and coaching changes as well as the return to the proud San Miguel name would lead to an end to the series of chaos and disappointments of the past two-and-a-half seasons that fans have come to address as 'Petron-ovela.'
With the arrival of guard Solomon Mercado and forward Rico Maierhofer, Santos feels the Beermen have somehow pressed the “refresh” button to start the import-spiced conference.
“May kinalaman din siguro yung (2-0 start sa) pagdating ni Sol, tapos, bagong pangalan so parang na-refresh. Parang kalimutan na natin yung nangyari dati,” he said.
“Kasi di komo nabigo tayo last conference, ito bagong mundo ito, huwag na nating sayangin.”
San Miguel tries to grab the solo lead in the standings when it tangles with Talk ‘N Text in the main game of a double-header on Friday.
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