San Miguel Beermen franchise to retire Arwind Santos’ jersey

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The San Miguel Beermen franchise will be retiring the jersey of their former superstar Arwind Santos today, when the halftime period starts in their game against the Blackwater Bossing.

San Miguel team manager Gee Abanilla announced that this jersey retirement ceremony will be their way of giving back to Santos who has done so much for their franchise during his active playing years.

The Beermen acquired Santos from the Air21 Express/Burger King Whoopers during the 2009 season of the PBA.

After arriving in San Miguel, Santos quickly made an impact and became a reliable two-way player during his prime years.

However, after suffering several injuries, Santos slowed down and changed his style of play into a 3-and-D guy in his last playing years with the Beermen.

From 2009-2021, Santos’ terrific contribution helped the Beermen clinch nine PBA championship titles in the Governor’s Cup, Philippine Cup, and the Commissioner’s Cup.

In his stay with San Miguel, he became a part of the team’s “Death Five” lineup together with June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, and Alex Cabagnot.

However, Santos’ stint with San Miguel ended in the mid-season of 2021 when he was shipped to the NorthPort Batang Pier.

Santos played for the Batang Pier until 2023 before rendering his services to the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Before exiting the big boys’ league, Santos became a nine-time PBA champion, two-time PBA Finals MVP, the 2013 PBA MVP, and a 12-time PBA All-Star member.