PBA’s controversial ‘Spider Man’ is a gentle giant

Arwind Santos

There’s a thin line between show biz and the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association). A lot of former PBA players have turned into actors. And some professional cagers are married to TV and movie stars.

PBA star Arwind Santos of San Miguel Beer (SMB) is more than qualified to join show biz. He’s got the looks, and he dabbles in songwriting. The league’s “Spider Man” (Arwind’s PBA moniker) ought to guest in the movies of his good friends Vice Ganda, Jhong Hilario and Vhong Navarro.

Arwind hit the headlines recently when he taunted TNT’s (Talk & Text) import Terrence Jones by making a monkey gesture during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

He got carried away by the intensity of the championship match, so he wasn’t thinking straight. But that’s no excuse, so Arwind apologized to Jones and endured the backlash.

The SMB baller has been fined P200,000 by the PBA, will render 100 hours of community service and undergo counseling on racial discrimination.

Arwind has learned his lesson well. As a friend, I can vouch that he’s such a gentle giant. So let’s condemn the sin, not the sinner.

But that controversy has been eclipsed by the hard-earned victory of Arwind’s team, SMB. It won back-to-back championships in the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup. A grand slam beckons when the Governor’s Cup kicks off in September.

Arwind lives up to being PBA’s “Spider Man” by untangling himself from the web of controversy and emerging victorious, après tout.

Here’s my chat with Arwind:

What did you learn from your altercation with Terrence Jones? That humility is also a strength. To humble myself and ask for forgiveness. As a public figure, I must be accountable for what I say and do. It made me realize that my actions have an impact on society, so I must be updated with social norms and be more sensitive to other people’s feelings.

What is your message to your supporters and bashers? Thank you to my supporters, who are my source of strength. Without them, I won’t be where I am now. Thank you also to my bashers for reminding me that I’m only human and that I cannot please everyone. I respect their opinions. Nobody’s perfect. What matters is that in the eyes of God, I play fair.

What makes SMB’s victory sweeter this time around? Just like my kids, who have different personalities, every championship is precious. But we got each victory in different ways. What makes this one special is that we have new teammates and a new import.

What is your fave local movie, and who are your fave local celebs? All of FPJ’s (Fernando Poe Jr.) movies. Sarah Geronimo, my kumpareng Vhong Navarro, my friends Vice Ganda and Jhong Hilario.

Would you be willing to join show biz? If it’s destined for me, then why not? For now, my focus is on basketball. But I’m open to guesting stints.

Tell us about the songs you composed. I enjoy writing songs in my free time. My compositions are about my experiences and observations. My wife, kids and I love to sing. They memorize all the songs I write.

How do you handle victory and defeat? I believe that if victory is meant for our team, then it will be ours. In defeat, I still don’t lose my faith in God … that He has something better planned for SMB. There’s more to life than basketball, so when we lose, I still count my blessings.

How do you think Gilas Pilipinas will fare in the Fiba World Cup? Our Gilas players can be relied on to fight it out. Even if they are not as tall as the players of foreign teams, as long as they defend well, Gilas could bring home the bacon.