SMB's old 'Death 5' complete in Arwind Santos' jersey retirement

Arwind Santos formally had his San Miguel jersey retired. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--Arwind Santos' jersey retirement ceremony turned out to be a mini-reunion of San Miguel's old "Death 5" as Alex Cabagnot also graced the halftime event at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday night.

With the current Bacolod City of Smiles coach present, the entire Beermen starting unit that gave SMB eight championships to easily make them the PBA's "team of the 2010s" is complete with June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross still playing.

The night, though, belongs to Santos, who became the seventh player of the SMB franchise who have his jersey retired, particularly the number 29 jersey.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, San Miguel governor Robert Non, Blackwater governor Silliman Sy, and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua, who is also San Miguel Corporation's sports director, joined Santos in formally retiring his jersey.

PBA-wise, Santos won nine titles, all during the previous decade, two All-Star Game MVPs, finals MVPs, and the 2013 regular season MVP.

He is also part of the league's elite 10,000 Points Club.

Santos last suited up in the PBA for the NorthPort Batang Pier from 2021-2023, but he will formally retire PBA-wise as a Beerman.

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