San Miguel gave Arwind Santos the ultimate honor after retiring his jersey on Wednesday, May 1 at the PhilSports Arena.
Arwind Santos posed for a photo with former teammates June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, and Alex Cabagnot at centercourt at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, May 1.
A few years ago, they formed San Miguel’s famed “Death Five” that had the entire PBA teetering on its heels on the way to eight championships, including five straight Philippine Cups.
[RELATED STORY: By the Numbers: Arwind Santos' incredible PBA career with San Miguel]
The group reunited on Wednesday when the Beermen honored Santos with a brief jersey retirement at halftime of the San Miguel-Blackwater match in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
However, this doesn’t mean the Spiderman is bidding basketball goodbye.
Santos told reporters there were even talks between him and the organization about a possible PBA comeback with San Miguel, but didn’t push through owing to a “complicated” process.
“Kaso medyo komplikado nga raw. So di ko na pinakinggan kung anong dahilan, naiintindahan ko naman na medyo komplikado, kaiangan pa ng kontrata, ng trade yata mga ganun,” said the 42-year-old cager, who last played for NorthPort.
It would have been the swan song he has always envisioned, but he was very thankful for the honor nonetheless.
San Miguel's "Death 5" reunited once again | Photo (c) PBA
“May happy and sad kasi gusto mo pa sana makasama pa mga teammates mo. Alam mo sa sarili mo meron kam pang ico-contribute sa team. Pero sakin di ko na iniisp mga di natin nakuha. Ang akin napaka-espesyal din naman ng binigay sakin ni Lord,” he said.
Whether it’s in the PBA or elsewhere, Santos intends to return to basketball next year.
“That doesn’t mean di na ako maglalaro. kasi jersey lang naman naretiro. Yung passion ko, yung pagmamahal sa basketball andyan pa rin. Anytime, di natin massabi baka maglaro ako. Di ko lang alam kung saan.”
For now, though, the former PBA MVP is making the most of his time with family.