Arwind Santos eyeing basketball return next year

Arwind Santos plans to return to action next year. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--His PBA jersey may have been retired already, but don't count out an Arwind Santos return just yet.

On Wednesday night, the six-foot-four forward, who is turning 43 next month, said that he is looking to make a player comeback very soon even if San Miguel already sent his #29 jersey to the rafters.

"Ang plano ko, bumalik ako next year para maglaro," Santos told reporters in a press conference right after his jersey retirement event at the PhilSports Arena.

"I'm hoping na gusto kong makabalik kasi passion ko at mahal ko pa rin ang basketball at ang mga anak ko, gusto pa rin ako na maglaro at saka yung mga ibang fans."

Santos, who last played for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns last year in the MPBL, also confirmed that there were plans for him to play for the Beermen this PBA Philippine Cup even just for a month.

This could partially explain why Pampanga did not re-sign him for its MPBL title defense.

"Medyo kumplikado nga lang. Hindi ko na pinakinggan kung ano yung dahilan na yun kasi naintindihan ko naman," Santos, whose PBA rights are still with NorthPort, bared why the plans did not push through.

"Kailangan pa ng kontrata. Kailangan pa ng trade."

He will devote the rest of 2024 to bonding with his family and training the next generation of basketball players.

"Family time and business muna, then mag-share ng konting knowledge sa basketball lalo na yung mga kabataan natin ngayon," said Santos, who runs a basketball clinic now.

He also said the year-long rest is for him to completely recover from a lingering injury since his Batang Pier days.

Santos implied that he played through the injury during the MPBL's playoffs, but he eventually decided to take some time off to fully heal.

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