Arwind Santos relieved to have bailed out Beermen in Game 4

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer’s Arwind Santos heaved a sigh of relief after weathering a pesky Magnolia side on Wednesday night for a commanding 3-1 series lead in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

“Halos ‘di nga ako iwan ni (Rome) Dela Rosa,” he said of the challengers’ defense. "Kulang na lang sumama sa bahay ko eh."

"Siyempre, nothing to lose sila, pero kami, sabi ko nga, finish strong kami,” he added.

The former league Most Valuable Player hit two freethrows — his only points in the final frame — to put the game beyond Magnolia’s reach. Having missed his look at 1:12, he made sure he was not going to botch the crucial charities with just 2.2 ticks left in the clock.

"God is good, sa akin binigay 'yung dalawang free throws. Gusto kong makuha 'yung panalo. Noong nashoot ko 'yung dalawa, kamay na ng Diyos ‘yun,” he said after tallying 13 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Santos, for his part, is aware he could let out a bigger one when the Beermen rides on the momentum of their past three wins and close out the Hotshots on Friday.

"Sa Friday, pipilitin namin ibigay ang lahat lahat para matapos na. At alam din namin na hindi ganoon babagsak o ibibigay ng Magnolia ang laban kaya sabi nga nila, puso, 'di ba?”  he said.

"Sana sa Friday, kaming lahat ng mga teammates ko, gustuhin na tapusin na,” the lanky forward added. "Kami, gusto na namin mag-celebrate ng Friday. Gusto na naming magpuyat. Ang tagal na naming di nakakatikim ng alcohol.”

And ever the hilariously poetic person that he is, Santos went on to add with a chuckle: “Rubbing alcohol."