Santos cautions against complacency amid San Miguel streak

MANILA, Philippines – Riding a 6-game win streak and sitting pretty atop the standings in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup, the San Miguel Beermen’s confidence is understandably at a high amid their title defense.

Skipper Arwind Santos cautioned against complacency as they gear up to become the potential top seed heading into the playoffs.

“‘Yung pagiging kuntento, pumapasok yung pagiging relaxed. Sana hindi namin madala ‘yun. Mas lalo pa namin dapat dagdagan yung effort namin and ‘yung skills namin,” the 35-year-old forward said following a squeaker victory, 72-70, against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, January 8.

“Basta ‘wag kaming magsasawang manalo.”

(Becoming contented, turning relaxed. I hope we don’t carry that with us. We need to double our efforts and our skills. We should never get tired of winning.)

San Miguel currently holds a 7-1 record but has a loaded schedule to end the eliminations with its last 3 opponents being Rain or Shine, Globalport, and TNT. 

The Beermen avoided a costly endgame collapse on Sunday after blowing a 10-point fourth quarter lead and allowing the Gin Kings to pull to within two points.

But Santos’ offensive rebounding inside the final minute plus just enough defense in the final possession – after Marcio Lassiter muffed two free throws that could have iced the game – salvaged the victory.

Santos, who had 10 points and 12 rebounds, credited his team’s championship experience as well as its depth in holding off Ginebra. San Miguel, after all, is the two-time defending Philippine Cup champion gunning for a triple crown.

After lifting their foot off the gas pedal during Sunday’s game, Santos acknowledges the one thing that could derail the Beermen now is arrogance.

“Challenge siguro yung sobrang ganda ng blessing na dumarating sa team, minsan ang problema ng sobrang success minsan lumalaki ang ulo,” Santos explained. 

“Kailangan manatili ang bawat isa na humble para at least hindi magkaroon ng gap or misunderstanding. Kasi kapag nagkaroon ng samaan ng loob, masisira yung team.”

(The challenge now is that because we’re blessed, sometimes the problem becomes too much success might get into our heads. We need to stay humble so we won’t have gaps or misunderstandings. If that happens it could unravel the team.)

The Beermen survived the Gin Kings in the low-scoring affair despite their 3-time MVP June Mar Fajardo being limited to just 11 points on two-of-6 field goals and 5-of-6 free throw shooting.

(READ: Tenorio sees San Miguel loss as a positive sign for Ginebra)

Santos said this has plenty to do with San Miguel’s unity and good chemistry on and off the court.

“Ito yung team na para sa akin ay the best kasi yung turingan namin sa isa’t isa buong buo na. Sobrang wala ka nang hahanapin pa. Lahat willing to sacrifice, na ibigay yung bola imbis na itira mo na lang,” he said.

“Kaya walang malaki ang ulo dito. Yun ang pinaka bread and butter namin kaya kami nasa number one ngayon, yung ganda ng samahan. Siyempre kapag maganda samahan niyo, maganda ipapakita niyo.“

(This is team is the best for me because we treat each other well. You can’t look for anything else. Everyone is willing to sacrifice, to give up the ball instead of taking the shot. That’s why nobody is big-headed here. That’s our bread and butter that’s why we’re number one now, our good relationship. If the team is going along well, then the team will play well.) – Rappler.com