By Ashley Bercasio
At the age of 41, NorthPort Batang Pier forward Arwind Santos became the oldest PBA Press Corps Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) after formally receiving the award at Novotel Manila Araneta City on June 21.
Santos joined Chris Jackson and Marc Pingris as the only players to receive the accolade three times.
Known as a tenacious and hard-nosed defender since his amateur days, the former Far Eastern University Tamaraw bagged the award in 2008 and 2011.
More than a decade later, Santos recaptured the title in father time-defying PBA 46th season where he averaged 14.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.5 blocks for NorthPort.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa award na ‘to, at my age, nandito pa rin ako, nakuha ko ‘tong award na ‘to. Sa totoo lang gustong-gusto ko ‘tong award na ‘to eh. Kasi para sa akin, ito ‘yong parang isa sa pinag-aaralan ko na skills, ang dumepensa,” Santos said.
But aside from being a proof of his longevity, Santos, in an exclusive interview with PTV Sports reporter Champ de Lunas revealed that his third PBA top defensive gem means so much more to him.
Santos is no stranger when it comes to poverty. Prior to his success with FEU in UAAP, there was a time when Santos stopped attending school and had to sideline as a pedicab driver to help his family.
“Ako, isang magandang halimbawa po sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin na mga mahihirap na athlete na wala pong imposible sa mundo basta magdadasal ka at pagsasakripisyuhan mo, pagtatrabahuhan mo, walang imposible, ma-a-achieve mo ‘to,” the 17-year PBA veteran added.
Chosen as the 2006 Draft’s 2nd overall pick, the nine-time champion and 2013 Most Valuable Player is definitely among the league’s elder statesmen, something Santos takes pride in.
“Hindi ko naman ma-aachieve ‘to kung dahil do’n lang sa galing eh or sa talent na meron ka na bigay ng Diyos. Na-achieve ko ‘to dahil sa pagmamahal ko rin sa katawan ko. Hindi mo naman kailangan ng adviser, para sa akin, kapag gusto mo maging magaling na player o tumagal kailangan lang alam mo paano mamahalin ang sarili mo,” Santos explained.
Of the 20 players selected at the 2006 Draft, Santos, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s LA Tenorio and TnT Tropang Giga’s Kelly Williams are the only ones still playing, but are we nearing the end of the Spider-Man era?
“Mina-maximize ko, siguro hanggang 2025, inaalagaan ko ‘yong sarili ko hanggang naglalaro ako, still contributing to my team at nakakapag-perform pa rin ako at the same time at nagagawa ko pa rin ‘yong mga dapat kong gawin inside the game,” Santos said.
Whatever happens in 2025, it’s definitely nice to see Santos dish out more rejuvenated performances which netted him a Mythical First Team and All-Defensive Team selection at the recent Leo Awards. – ag
