By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The San Miguel Beermen will be retiring Arwind Santos’ jersey no. 29 during their PBA Philippine Cup game against the Blackwater Bossing at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City this afternoon.

Beermen team manager Gee Abanilla said the jersey retirement of Santos was the franchise’s way of giving back to Santos for all of his contributions during his time with the squad.

“On Labor Day, magbibigay kami ng konting tribute for Arwind for all his contributions to the franchise. It is just a way of giving back to him,” Abanilla said in an interview recently.

“Nagustuhan naman siya ng management simula nung ibinigay siya sa amin [ng Air21 Express] in the past, and just showing some gratitude, may konti kaming ibibigay sa kanya,” he added.

Abanilla stated that Santos is happy with the Beermen’s decision to hang his jersey no. 29, saying that the Pampanga-native has opted to retire from basketball for good.

“He is happy, MVP din naman ‘yun dati eh, and at the same time, madami ding contribution sa franchise,” Abanilla said.

“Sana kasama niya ‘yung family niya when we retire his jersey,” he said.

“Not anymore [on Santos’ possible Beermen return]. I think it is also his decision na din to retire,” he added.

The 42-year-old Santos started his PBA career with the Express in 2006 before he was traded to the Beermen franchise in 2009 and stayed there until 2021, when he was traded to the NorthPort Batang Pier.

During his time with the Beermen, Santos has won nine PBA championships, one MVP award, two Best Player of the Conference awards, two Finals MVP trophies, and two Defensive Player of the Year citations.

Santos’ last professional basketball stint was with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, helping his hometown team to their first-ever championship./ASC, WDJ