In 500th PBA game, Arwind Santos adds to defensive milestones

MANILA, Philippines – Rejection is Arwind Santos’ specialty.

Playing in his 500th PBA game, the 35-year-old forward had 6 blocked shots in San Miguel Beer’s 94-91 escape of Mahindra, shoving him to 10th in the league’s all-time block leaders on a night where he reached several career defensive milestones.

Santos, a two-time PBA Defensive Player, moved past former import Billy Robinson with 628 blocks in his decade-long career so far, according to PBA statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

“I’m thankful and happy I reached this point, I never thought I could do something like this,” the former Far Eastern University star said in Filipino after the game.

The 7-time PBA All-Defensive Team awardee also tallied 8 defensive rebounds (9 total) to go with his 18 points and 4 assists as he reached 3,000 career defensive rebounds, becoming the 14th player to breach the mark.

He is also only the second active player to do so along with big man Asi Taulava.

Santos, a 4-time PBA champion who was also a two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner in the UAAP from 2004 to 2005, has made a name for himself as a defensive specialist with his long arms and lanky frame.

He has long idolized notorious blockers such as Marlou Aquino and Benjie Paras – in his words, “mga magagaling sumupalpal (those who are good at swatting balls away)” – as well as center Jerry Codiñera, whom he vividly remembers as the usual player featured in the “Tapal Vulcaseal” brand spot for blocked plays during the broadcast.

He also looked up to Glenn Capacio, who played in the PBA from 1988 to 2001. “At his height, he’s small but can guard imports,” the 2013 season MVP said.

In the NBA, his guy is Dikembe Mutombo, who played in the league for 18 seasons.

A perennial consideration for the All-Defensive Team and Mythical Team citations each year – and a back-to-back Mythical First Team member in the past two season to up his total citations to 8 – Santos hopes to stay consistent, if not aim higher, in the coming years.

Santos, though, is happy to have left his mark so soon.

“Kahit wala ka na sa mundo,” he said, “nakaukit na yan sa istorya ng PBA.” (Even when you’re already gone, that’s already etched in PBA history.) – Rappler.com