When San Miguel needed a spark, old reliable Arwind Santos provided it for the Beermen.
The former Most Valuable Player came off the bench and hit 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter as the Beermen overcame a 17-0 deficit and turned the tables on TNT KTropa to level the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals series at 1-1 apiece.
The 36-year-old Santos said that his Game Two performance was a testament that he can still contribute to the team.
“Ako gustung-gusto ko talagang maglaro, lalo na kapag ganitong finals, para sa goal namin,” he said. “Minsan nakukulangan rin talaga ako sa minuto ko eh dahil gusto ko talagang makatulong sa team. Alam ko makakatulong pa ako. Malayo pa para sabihin na kupas na ako. Siguro ito ang isang dahilan para ma-prove ko na makakatulong pa ako.”
Santos added that while import Charles Rhodes is a vital part of the team’s campaign, he reminded coach Leo Austria that the Beermen’s All-Filipino crew will always be there to respond to the challenge.
“Yung mga ganitong sitwasyon na mayroon siyang mga slow start, subukan niya. Magtiwala siya sa second five niya. Hindi puwedeng iasa lang sa first five,” Santos added.
“Yung all-Filipino line up na yan, marami nang pinagdaanan yan. Marami na kaming napatunayan, lalo na yung ‘Beeracle’ kapag all-Filipino, alam na namin yung kumpiyansa ng bawat isa. Alam na namin yung galawan. Para sa akin kapag magkakasama kaming lima na all-Filipino, hindi namin nakikita na dehado kami. Nakikita namin lamang kami sa kalaban.”