ARWIND SANTOS is 40. Vic Manuel is 34. They made a bit of history two days back.
As sudden as a quake, Arwind was shipped to Northport on Monday in exchange for Vic.
Don’t be surprised. It will happen again and again and again.
The shelf life of a player is never constant.
Arwind has been like a permanent resident of San Miguel Beer (SMB). His exit ended his 11-year stint at San Miguel Beer, one of the longest contracts in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Drafted second overall in 2007 by Air21 after being a two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player as a Far Eastern U Tamaraw, Arwind moved to Petron Blaze in 2009. Thus began Arwind’s 11-year odyssey at San Miguel Corp. highlighted by a second Grand Slam for the SMC franchise and an MVP plum in 2013.
In his SMB days, Arwind was a major cog in the Beermen’s romp of five straight All-Filipino crowns in 2015-2019.
There’s more.
Like Arwind being an 11-time All-Star, a two-time All-Star MVP, nine-time Mythical Five member, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time All-Defensive Team and a member of the PBA’s 40 greatest players.
With credentials like that, why would anyone order Arwind to pack his bags to another team?
Too old at 40?
Maybe. But what’s clear is, Arwind’s departure finally breaks SMB’s famed “Death Squad” that includes June Mar Fajardo (31 years old), Alex Cabagnot (38), Chris Ross (36) and Marcio Lassiter (34). They are, by far, the deadliest quintet ever assembled in the 46-year history of Asia’s first pro league.
And how to compare Arwind Santos with Vic Manuel?
They are both June boys—Arwind turning 40 last June 10 and Vic celebrating his 34th birthday last June 18. They are both 6-foot-4. Their commonalities end there.
Arwind, from Lubao, Pampanga, is a nine-time champion in his 14-year PBA stint. Vic, from Licab, Nueva Ecija, remains title-less since he was drafted ninth overall in 2012 by B-Meg.
While Arwind has practically made SMB his permanent residence, Vic will now make San Miguel Beer his eighth PBA team after stints with B-Meg, Global, Meralco, Air21, Alaska, Phoenix and Northport.
Is Arwind sad? Vic happy?
Maybe. But players must know there is no such thing as a permanent status. Nothing lasts forever.
Always, coaches get players according to the needs of their teams. That’s why they hold no special ties with their wards. Everything is impersonal.
THAT’S IT Novak Djokovic is now the longest reigning world No. 1 in tennis at seven years, a highlight of his 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Russian world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev on Monday in the Rolex Paris Masters. Pete Sampras held the previous record.