The former MVP is still optimistic.
Regardless of how you feel about the Spider-Man Dunk, Arwind Santos sure was a spectacular player in the PBA.
His almost nonchalant playing style, with the game looking so effortless for him, helped Santos capture an MVP and nine championships in the league.
But after his contract with the NorthPort Batang Pier expired after the PBA on Tour, he signed with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL.
His addition was an instant boost, as his hometown team advanced to the national finals, where they will face off against the Bacoor Strikers. Pampanga remains unbeaten in the tournament.
But while he's having a successful stint in the MPBL, Santos stressed that he's not yet retired from the PBA.
"Hindi pa sarado 'yung pinto sa isipan ko na makabalik sa PBA. I'm talagang looking forward to come back to the PBA. Kaya nagpapakundisyon pa rin ako, nagpapalakas pa rin," said Santos on One PH's Power & Play.
At 42 years old, the two-time PBA Finals MVP has slowed down in recent years. He's played limited minutes with the Giant Lanterns. He, however, said he can still contribute ever he gets a call-up from any PBA squad.
As host Noli Eala, a former PBA commissioner, pointed out, Santos was still a member of the Mythical Five and was the Defensive Player of the Year just two years ago.
The FEU Tamaraws legend admitted that no PBA team has reached out to him yet. But if he could choose, he made it quite clear.
"(Sana) kahit isang conference makabalik ako, makapagretiro nang maganda sa PBA. Kung papalarin, sa San Miguel sana," said Santos.
He played for 12 years with the Beermen before getting traded to the Batang Pier in 2021 for Vic Manuel.
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"Naniniwala pa rin ako na kaya ko bumalik sa PBA," said Santos. "Kapag naramdaman ko na siguro na talagang pagod na ko, ayoko na, doon ko na sasabihin na gusto ko na magretiro."
The best-of-five national finals of the MPBL will begin on November 24. It will air on One PH.