IN a simple yet fitting short ceremony, San Miguel Beer officially retired Arwind Santos’ jersey No. 29 last Wednesday night during the Beermen’s clash with the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Santos could not help but wax nostalgic.
“Ang dating Arwind Santos talaga ay isang nagbabakal-bote lang dati, nag-e-ending, nag-ju-jueteng, nagtitinda diyan sa kalye, nangungutang sa kapit-bahay. Sobrang daming pinag-daanan sa buhay,” Santos said. “Isa iyon sa naging dahilan para magsikap ako. Ang gusto ko lang naman manalo, magandang buhay sa larangan ng basketball, mag-champion.
“Hindi na pumasok sa isip ko iyong opportunity na iyon na puwede ko pa pa lang ma-achieve pa at ibinigay sa akin. Sobrang wala na akong hihilingin pa,” he added.
Present during the rites were Arwind’s wife Ivette and their five children, along with SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua and team governor Robert Non who joined Commissioner Willie Marcial in presenting Santos his framed red and black No. 29 jersey along with a basketball encased in a glass frame, a team cap, and a special Beerman jacket.
The entire SMB squad also celebrated with Santos, with his “Death Five” teammates–reigning seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, and Alex Cabagnot also showing up.
While no Beerman will be allowed to use Santos’ jersey No., that does not mean the 2013 pro league MVP has called it a career.
“That doesn’t mean na hindi na ako maglalaro,” Santos said. “Kasi jersey lang naman ang nai-retiro.
“Iyong passion ko, iyong pagmamahal ko sa basketball, nandiyan pa rin. Any time, hindi natin masabi baka maglaro ulit ako. Hindi ko lang alam kung saan.”
Santos, 42, could have suited up for SMB–a team he helped win nine titles–but his rights remain with NorthPort where he last played from 2021-2023 before he became an unrestricted free agent that paved the way for his stint with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL last year.
“Okay nga sana dapat. Kaya lang medyo kumplikado, matatagalan kasi siya kung kailangan pa ng kontrata, ng trade, mga ganoon,” Santos said.
“Iyong rights ko ata, nasa NorthPort pa rin. Willing silang paglaruin ako, dapat nga mga isang buwan pa ako maglalaro sa kanila. Kaya lang iyon nga.”
For now, Santos will focus more on his growing family and business.
“Plano ko, bumalik ako next year para maglaro. Family time muna, siyempre. Business muna,” Santos said. “Kailangan ng pahinga kasi mas nafe-feel ko ngayon, kapag nagpapahinga siya, mas lumalakas siya. I’m hoping, gusto ko pa ring makabalik.”
He joined fellow Beermen legends Ramon Fernandez, Allan Caidic, the late Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, Yves Dignadice, and Olsen Racela in an elite company of cagers whose jerseys have been retired by the team.
The 6-foot-4 Santos, a former UAAP star and two-time MVP for Far Eastern University, was tabbed second overall in 2006 by the defunct Air21 franchise before he was shipped to SMB in 2009.
The Angeles City, Pampanga native suited up for the Beermen for 12 seasons and won two best players of the conference honors (both in the Governors’ Cup in 2011 and 2013); two finals MVPs, two All-Star Game MVPs, and won nine titles.
Santos was also a 12-time All-Star, a 10-time Mythical First Team, a two-time Mythical Second Team, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and an eight-time member of the All-Defensive Team.
He is also a member of the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players of All-Time.
“Sobrang sarap talaga ng feeling, mga legend na iyon. Pang-pito lang ako, iilan lang siya. Hindi naman ganoon kadali talaga i-retire iyong jersey,” he said.
“Hindi lahat nakakakuha ng ganoong opportunity kaya sobrang thankful ako kay Lord, kay boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang, SMC President and CEO), boss Al, boss Robert, na binigyan nila ako ng chance.”
