Santos set to rejoin San Miguel practice; Fate of Tubid, Nabong still unknown

Arwind Santos is set to rejoin the San Miguel Beermen in practice when the 27-time PBA champs begin their preparations for the next season.

The 13-year league veteran was slapped, along with Kelly Nabong and Ronald Tubid, with an indefinite suspension by team management in the aftermath of a practice brawl which happened during the 30th birthday of June Mar Fajardo at the Upper Deck gym in Pasig City.

According to eye-witnesses, Santos set a hard pick on Dez Wells which floored the high-scoring reinforcement. An agitated Wells then went to confront the Pampanga native but was inadvertently punched by Tubid. Nabong rushed in to defend the fallen import and punched Tubid in retaliation. Both sides were then pacified.

Wells quietly left the country afterwards while the three were ultimately penalized.

The fracas eventually affected the team’s quest for a triple-crown which ended with a quarterfinals loss to Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel.

Santos is expected to attend the team’s practice on January 13 while officials remained mum on the fate of the other two.

When asked about the 38-year old forward’s reinstatement, league commissioner Willie Marcial said that it’s an internal matter and the team is at liberty to do as it pleases.

In addition, the 2013 PBA MVP has reportedly signed a two-year extension which will keep him under contract with the flagship team of the SMC group until the 2021-22 season.