THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is finally back in the metro with the opening of the Governors’ Cup, proof that normalcy from the Covid-19 pandemic is starting to set in—but not with two of the day’s protagonists that are bound to live a new normal.
San Miguel Beer (SMB) plays NLEX at 6 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City minus one recognizable Beerman—Arwind Santos, whose new team NorthPort opens hostilities against Alaska at 3 p.m.
After donning SMB’s colors for 12 consecutive seasons, the Most Valuable Player in 2013 brings his leadership and veteran smarts to a Batang Pier side that is hoping to create a dent in the league’s abbreviated 46th season.
“I feel like a rookie again…but with a winning attitude,” Santos told BusinessMirror on Tuesday. “I’m enjoying how this team treats me, how my teammates and coaches trust me. So I have to exert a lot of effort from rebounding, defense and offense.”
“I have to contribute each game starting against Alaska,” added the 40-year-old Santos, who helped the Beermen win nine titles.
Santos was traded to NorthPort in exchange for big man Vic Manuel during the break that was agonizingly prolonged because of the pandemic.
Against Alaska, the former Far Eastern University King Tamaraw said they cannot be complacent.
“We cannot relax because all teams are balanced and everyone can beat anybody especially Alaska which has a good import with a young core,” he said.
The Batang Pier’s winning mentality has leveled up with Santos around and backing up 7-foot Greg Slaughter, Robert Bolick, rookie Jamie Malonzo, Kevin Ferrer, Paolo Taha, newly-acquired Art dela Cruz and import Cameron Forte.
Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso will be playing new guy Mike Tolomia and import Ashaolu Olu.
San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria, meanwhile, said the Beermen are in harness against the Road Warriors especially new acquisitions Manuel and Simon Enciso and import Brandon Brown.
“They’re all very happy to be part of the team and they want to win a championship,” said Austria, adding that NLEX is a dangerous opponent with its competitive import KJ McDaniels.
Also missing on the SMB bench is Alex Cabagnot, who was traded to Terrafirma for Enciso.
NLEX Coach Yeng Guiao said SMB would definitely be a tough nut to crack and stressed that they are the underdogs on opening day.
“We’re the underdogs for sure. They are in panic mode every time they don’t enter the finals,” Guiao said. “They’re doing everything to improve their lineup. That’s how urgent it is for them.”
NLEX signed up playmaker Kris Rosales to fill the shoes left by Kiefer Ravena, who is playing for Shiga Lakestars in Japan B.League. The Road Warriors also activated 48-year-old behemoth Paul Asi Taulava.
In other development, 40-year-old veteran Anthony Jay Washington, meanwhile, told BusinessMirror that he won’t be retiring yet. The 40-year-old was traded by TNT Tropang Giga for Blackwater’s Carl Bryan Cruz. He’s not on the Bossing’s 12-man roster.