ARWIND Santos has taken this young NorthPort team under his wings. The veteran forward and former MVP is proving to be the biggest motivating factor for the Batang Pier who are making a late push for a playoffs berth in the PBA Governors Cup.
Santos scored 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had four block shots in NorthPort's 103-101 stunner of previously unbeaten Magnolia on Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The 40-year-old turned in those numbers despite playing with a severe sprain and a bloodied nose which was accidentally hit by Magnolia import Mike Harris during the waning moments of the thrilling game.
Coach Pido Jarencio is naturally amazed by the courage shown by Santos, who he disclosed didn't even practice with the team the past four days prior to the game against the Hotshots due to a sprained ankle suffered over the Batang Pier's previous outing against Meralco.
"Sabi ko sa kanya, 'lalaro ka ba?' Sagot niya, 'oo, lalaro ako.' Ganun lang. Simple lang," said the NorthPort mentor of his pre-game conversation with the former Far Eastern University standout.
Even when Santos got hit by Harris, he refused to be substituted and stayed on until the game was over.
"Sabi ko, 'ano ilalabas kita o tatapusin mo na?' Sagot niya, 'tatapusin ko.' Ganun yung Arwind Santos," added Jarencio.
As the most senior in the NorthPort roster, Santos believes it's his role to help inspire and motivate the team.
"Kaya every game, gusto kong ipakita sa kanila na ako nga nagagawa ko, what more kayo na mas bata. Kaya ginagamit ko yun para at least magkaroon ng positive result," he said.
The heroics of Santos, coupled by import Jamel Artis exploding for a game-high 42 points in a lung-busting, no-relief job, had the Batang Pier suddenly coming alive in the final half of the eliminations with a 2-5 record to stay on course of clinching a quarterfinals berth.(RG)(PBA)
(Photo credits to: The Squander)