In his illustrious 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant had been through the good and the bad.
From being the flamboyant, uber athletic 18-year-old to the get-out-of-my-way killer en route to five NBA championships, the Black Mamba had amassed as much haters as supporters.
Such was the curse of basketball stars, Arwind Santos included.
The many-time PBA champion displayed antics in the past that did not sit well with fellow players and fans, with some calling him “arrogant.”
During his speech in a brief jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of his former team San Miguel and Blackwater's match on Wednesday, May 1, at the PhilSports Arena, the 42-year-old apologized for his demeanor on the court.
Arwind Santos poses for a photo with his fellow "Death Five" members Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo and Chris Ross, together with former San Miguel coach Leo Austria. | Photo (c) PBA
[ALSO READ: PBA: San Miguel goes 10-0 on day Beermen retire Arwind Santos’ jersey]
“Gusto ko pong humingi ng sorry sa mga fans na naiinis sa'kin. Sorry sa mga players. Sorry, nagkakarooon tayo ng sakitan. Sa lahat po ng mga naiinis, sorry,” said Santos as he was surrounded by former teammates and coaches at centercourt.
“Pasensya na po kayo kasi si Arwind Santos, noong time na 'yun, parang 'pag nagugutom tayo, sabi nga ng Papa ko, minsan gumawa ka ng paraan para mabuhay.”
He clarified that was only his alter ego, anchored on his need to survive and his desire to win countless cutthroat competitions in the first play-for-pay league in Asia.
“Siguro, noong time na nag-umpisa akong mag-basketball na akala nila maangas ako, hindi nila alam, kaya ako ganoon kaangas maglaro kasi po may mga pangangailangan po kami. May binubuhay din kami,” he said.
“Pagpasensiyahan niyo na po ako. Wala po akong masamang intensyon. Gusto ko lang pong manalo. Gusto ko lang pong umasenso.”
At the start of his speech, Santos recalled his humble beginnings – from engaging in the bakal-bote trade to borrowing money from his neighbor for the family's upkeep.
As they were not well-off, he promised his father that he will strive to succeed.
Ang dating Arwind Santos po talaga ay isang nagbabakal-bote lang po dati... nagtitinda-tinda lang diyan sa kalye, nangungutang sa kapitbahay. Sobrang daming pinagdaanan sa buhay. Isa po 'yun na naging dahilan para magsikap po ako. Dahil noong time na nabubuhay po 'yung nanay at tatay ko, hirap po kami," said Santos.
[RELATED STORY: SMB jersey retirement won't stop Arwind Santos from attempting a basketball comeback: ‘Hindi ko lang alam kung saan’]
"Sabi ng tatay ko, 'Sana, Arwind, matupad mo 'yung pangarap mo.' Kaya noong time na namatay siya, ipinangako ko sa bangkay ng tatay ko, 'Pa, magsisikap ako. Susuportahan ko si Mama, ang aking pamilya. Hindi kita bibiguin,'" he added.
Arwind Santos shares a warm embrace with former San Miguel teammate Chris Ross. | Photo (c) PBA
Years later, Santos found himself playing in the UAAP and eventually, in the PBA, as one of its celebrated products – with all of his individual and team accolades stemming from his desire to be able to make ends meet for his family.
"Wala po talagang imposible sa mundo dahil ako po mismo na hindi ko po pinangarap na maging magaling na basketbolista, ang gusto ko lang noon ay makatulong sa pamilya, makapag-uwi ng tamang pangangailangan sa bahay, 'yun lang po talaga. Pero God is great. Binigyan niya ako ng more than that sa aking mga pinapangarap," said Santos.
Santos continues to fulfill the promise he made to his father as he now includes himself in the exclusive list of those who had their jerseys retired in the league. He went on to express his gratitude, knowing that this is a momentous opportunity given only to a select few.
"Hindi ko akalain hanggang ngayon. Sobrang na-o-overwhelm pa rin ako. Sobrang saya ng feeling. Sobrang sarap ng feeling, hindi ko ma-explain. Alam nating lahat, hindi lahat pinapalad para iretiro ang jersey. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako talaga kay Lord. Sa lahat ng nagtitiwala, thank you, at sa aking pamilya, salamat ulit," said Santos, who lists nine championships, one season MVP and two Best Player of the Conference plums in his stellar 12-year resume with the Beermen.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Chris Ross says Arwind Santos’ jersey retirement with San Miguel ‘well-deserved’ honor]
He then proceeded to encourage those who are undergoing hardships to pursue their dreams as they, too, will be able to achieve them just like he did.
"Kahit anong posisyon natin sa buhay, bakal-bote ka man, kung ano man ang pinagdadaanan ninyo, carwasher o kung ano man, kaya niyo rin ang natupad ko. Kaya rin ninyo ang naabot ko. Depende lang 'yan kung paano ninyo aabutin. Basta walang pandaraya, walang panlalamang, walang kayabangan," he said.
This, however, does not signal an ending for Santos as, in a later interview, he hinted at a possible basketball comeback soon.
“'Yung passion ko, 'yung pagmamahal sa basketball, nandiyan pa rin. Anytime, hindi natin masasabi, baka maglaro ako. 'Di ko lang alam kung saan,” he said.