Ex-coach-turned-dad-in-law confident Arwind can bounce back

MANILA, Philippines – An embattled Arwind Santos asked for support on Sunday night after back-to-back poor games in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup Finals.

The PBA MVP got one in his former college coach-turned-father-in-law.

Ex-FEU coach Danny Gavieres was the team’s consultant when Santos led the Tamaraws to their last title in the UAAP in 2005.

Read related story: Santos asks for help, trust after un-MVP-like Game 5

Gavieres believes that his former ward and now son-in-law must have felt the pressure of delivering big games and the title to Petron Blaze Boosters after winning the PBA MVP for the first time in his pro career.

“Parang nagkaroon siya ng pressure tuloy eh. Siguro na-pressure lang siya. Pero sana next time, next game maayos din,” Gavieres told Philstar.com after Santos’ conference-worst performance in Game Five.

The 6-6 former UAAP MVP is married to one of Gavieres’ daughter Ivette, who happened to be the Tamaraws’ courtside reporter during Santos’ last playing year in college.  

Gavieres has since been a father-in-law and adviser to Santos.

“Mamaya kakausapin ko, tingnan ko kung anong problema. Baka pressure lang,” said Gavieres, who always watches Santos’ game with his family. “Magsasabi naman yun kung anong nangyayari talaga sa kaniya.”

Santos, who won the Best Player of the Conference and the MVP award two games apart, has played below par so far in the finals.  

After averaging 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds prior to the Finals, Santos numbers have dipped to just eight points and 2.8 boards in the first five games of the series.  

In spite of Santos’ spiraling down performance, he still has his father-in-law’s vote of confidence.

“Makakabangon yan,” Gavieres said.