STILL a hot clubhouse topic was the departure of Arwind Santos just days back from San Miguel Beer (SMB) to Northport. That was followed by Alex Cabagnot getting himself shipped to Terrafirma.
These are prized players being disposed of. Jewels that helped make SMB an eight-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champion in seven years, including a record streak of five straight as All-Filipino champion from 2015 to 2019.
Why is that?
The built-in logic behind the twin action was to retool an SMB line-up that has grown a bit old. It needs fresh, young blood to be competitive again.
Makes sense.
Santos is 40 years old. His replacement is Vic Manuel, the 34-year-old “muscle man” aching to win his first PBA title. (Correction: Arwind was not part of the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers Grand Slam champion team in 2014.)
Cabagnot is 38 and the one taking his guarding/scoring chores is Simon Enciso, a 30-year-old dead shot from afar who is a swift slasher in traffic as well.
Their added punch should help rejuvenate the Beermen, who were out of the title picture in the league’s last two bubbles. They were given the boot early in 2020 and then TNT Tropang Giga, the eventual champion, shut the semifinal door on them in the last conference in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Sad farewells happen but they aren’t uncommon in sports. Parting is always inevitable as it is a necessary component in rebuilding a team.
There’d be a tear or two falling, yes, as SMB coach Leo Austria did when he made the painful decision to let Arwind Santos go. Hurtful, but that’s the way it is at times. A fact of life we have to face in order for us to be able to move on with grace and dignity.
Nothing lasts forever, including epoxy-like ties between coaches and players. I’ve always said it: Coaches should never fall in love with their players. It’s best that relationships be business-based at all times. That way, when it’s time to say goodbye, parting should simply be sweet sorrow. Nothing personal.
THAT’S IT Just fine that Hidilyn Diaz skipped the World Weightlifting Championship next month in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She’s out of shape as she’d been too busy attending socials and promos following her Olympic gold victory on July 26 in Tokyo 2020. She might bomb out in the event set December 7 to 17. She listened to her body. And that’s good. A winner’s move…June Mar Fajardo, the 6-foot-11 pillar of SMB, turns 32 today, November 17. Happy birthday, June Mar.