Arwind Santos on return from suspension: “Hindi na ako gagawa ng kahit anong trouble dito”

Arwind Santos attended San Miguel’s first practice of the year after team management reinstated the controversial forward from the indefinite suspension slapped on him last November 20 for his role in the practice brawl which transpired three days earlier at the Upper Deck gym in Pasig City.

The 38-year old Santos, along with Ronald Tubid, Kelly Nabong and then-import Dez Wells, figured in a physical altercation during scrimmage which resulted in the three locals getting penalized with suspension while Wells was able to escape disciplinary action by immediately leaving the country after the incident.

The fracas triggered a chain of events which eventually led to the Beermen crashing out in the quarterfinals of the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup and along with it their quest for the much-coveted Grand Slam.

“Syempre masakit kahit papano dahil yung Grand Slam hindi natin nakuha, pero all in all, kailangan lang natin matuto sa mga hindi natin nagugustuhan na pangyayari. At syempre gusto ko ring patunayan na natuto ako doon. Kaya ito, nangako ako rin na hindi na ako gagawa ng kahit anong mga trouble dito,” said Santos.

“Napatunayan ko naman yun na minsan kalagitnaan ng trouble, hindi naman ako pumapatol, ako pa nga yung umaawat. Meron lang talagang minsan hindi lang natin mako-control. Ako naman, acceptance. Okay, mali ako doon at inaamin ko at pinangako ko na di ako mauulit. Tao lang e,” added the 14-year league veteran.

With all of that now behind him, Santos has shifted his focus on the team’s quest to extend their reign in the upcoming Philippine Cup.

“Ayaw namin magpatalo ng All-Filipino, so sa bilang part ng San Miguel, kailangan malaki pa rin ang ma-contribute ko sa team. Yung mga negative, gawin mong challenge dahil isa yun sa pwedeng mag-push sayo para mag-prepare ka nang husto, and para abutin yung goal mo.”