SAN Miguel team manager Gee Abanilla came to the defense of Arwind Santos and clarified that the former league MVP meant no harm with his bold prediction of a San Miguel-Ginebra faceoff in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.
"We at San Miguel respect every team. It's just unfortunate that (Rain or Shine governor) Mr. Edison Oribiana took offense and misunderstood Arwind's statements," he told SPIN.ph.
Santos was asked at the conclusion of San Miguel's 104-99 Game 4 win against Alaska on Sunday on who he felt the Beermen will face in the best-of-seven championship series and the Kapampangan was straight-forward with his reply.
"Hindi namin nakikita na tatalunin sila (Ginebra) ng Rain or Shine. Ewan ko lang. Bilog ang bola. Hindi natin masabi. Tingin ko Ginebra,” he said.
Rain or Shine alternate governor Edison Oribiana reacted strongly to Santos' prediction, saying he found it 'insulting and disrespectful' as he rallied the Elastopainters to prove the San Miguel forward wrong.
Abanilla cited Santos' "Bilog ang bola" line in his own defense.
"He was asked a question and he answered to the best of his capabilities. It doesn't mean that Arwind or San Miguel is belittling anybody, but in Arwind's viewpoint, that's what he saw. And you can't blame him for having that because Ginebra does own the series lead," the amiable executive said.
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