SMB's Santos sees chance to make PBA history as motivation in finals bid

MANILA, Philippines — Hoisting the Philippine Cup trophy over and over again, it seems like the San Miguel Beermen have nothing left to prove.

The same goes for skipper Arwind Santos, who has helped win those all-Filipino titles along with many conference trophies and a Most Valuable Player award.

But as the Beermen brace for another trip into the Finals, the versatile forward insists otherwise.

“Sabi ko nga, may mga dahilan rin kami,” he told the press during the pre-series press conference at a restaurant in Eastwood, Quezon City on Thursday. “Marami kaming dahilan para ma-maintain ‘yung gutom, ‘yung pagka-uhaw sa panalo.”

“Ayaw mo nang sayangin ‘yung opportunity na makakuha ng history, ‘di ba?” he offered. “Na pwede mong i-kwento sa mga anak mo, sa mga nagmamahal sa’yo, sa mga sumusuporta ng San Miguel at PBA kung sino ang (aabot) sa ganito? Sino ba ‘yung best?”

Santos, a polarizing figure on the court, is referring to San Miguel’s bid to become the first PBA team to win four straight Philippine Cup titles. The Beermen have a chance to tie Crispa with the most number of championships in the conference and the opportunity to eclipse their fellow-Jun Bernardino trophy owner, the TNT franchise.

A version conference trophy — named after former PBA commissioner Bernardino — is taken home by a team that has won three straight Philippine Cup titles.

“Pagka-nababanggit ‘yung team tapos part ka nung (winning culture), sobrang saya, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam,” Santos noted.

“[Pero] Ayun ‘yung isa sa mga pangarap ko rin, na kahit wala na kami, hindi mabubura ‘yung ginawa naming history,” he closed.

The favorites to win it all will try to solidify their place in PBA and Philippine basketball lore against the Magnolia Hotshots who they face when their best-of-seven series kicks off this Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.