SMB's Santos humbled, hurting after finals loss to Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer’s most eccentric and outspoken player was the first to accept their ouster from the top of the Commissioner’s Cup.

Arwind Santos told the press shortly after the 93-77 loss to Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday night that he is hurting, but also added that the circumstance humbles the whole Beermen.

“Galing din kami sa champion. Ang maganda dito, tanggap na namin ang nangyari kahit na masakit,” he said.

“Syempre, tao lang din tayo, nasasaktan sa mga ganitong sitwasyon. Maganda rin nangyayari samin kasi minsan nagkakaroon kami kasi parang isip namin, kayang-kaya namin lahat,” Santos, who finished with an aenemic five points in Game Six, offered.

“Maganda na rin na ‘yan, alam na namin na may mga better team na kayang tuma sa’min,” he pointed out.

Santos shared that the everyone from the final huddle in the dugout shared the same sentiment.

“Lahat ng teammates, coaches, tanggap na,” he shared. “Kasi ang Ginebra, gustong-gustong makuha championship, no doubt naman. Ang sabi naman ng bawat isa, bawi (nalang) next conference. ‘Yun naman talaga eh. San pa kami babawi kung hindi sa next, ‘di ba?”

Asked about the biggest takeaway, the SMB skipper said that successful people don’t always enjoy success.

“Maganda ‘to sa mga champion, sa mga taong nagtatagumpay, na hindi lahat nagtatagumpay, hindi lagi success. Minsan masasaktan ka or pag nasaktan ka, huwag mong isipin na malas ka or ‘di ka pinalad or ‘di ka blessed,” Santos said.

But more importantly, he suggested it’s nothing personal.

"Ganito talaga ang trabaho namin. Kahit nasaktan kam dapat magmo-move on ka at handa ka susunod; makalimot ka tapos matuto ka," Santos closed.