ARWIND Santos missed his first game in three years on Sunday during NorthPort’s match-up against Magnolia.
The veteran Santos was not in uniform in the Batang Pier’s 109-91 defeat against Magnolia on Sunday. According to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon, the 41-year-old Santos sat out a game for only the 12th time in his career.
The last time Santos missed a game was during the tailend of the 2019 Governors’ Cup when he was still with San Miguel, and it was not injury-related as he was suspended by the team due to a fight involving San Miguel import Dez Wells.
[READ: Magnolia stays perfect after dispatching NorthPort]
Santos also didn’t play in a February 1, 2019 game against Rain or Shine due to food poisoning.
In total, Santos played 61 straight games before Sunday.
When asked before the game, Santos said he missed the game to take a rest but didn’t elaborate. A source confirmed that Santos took a respite as he is experiencing pain in his knee that isn't serious but needs to be rested to aid recovery.
The source, though said that the pain is only minor.
NorthPort missed Santos’ presence as the Batang Pier lost, 109-91, to go down to a 3-3 win-loss record.
Santos was coming off an impressive performance last October 12 in NorthPort’s 87-83 win over Blackwater when he tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds.
After that win, NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio underlined the importance of Santos to the team.
“Kailangan namin siya dito. Siya ang leader and at the same time, si Arvin (Tolentino) nagiging consistent na and the rest of the players na pinasok natin, tumulong,” said Jarencio after the Blackwater game.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
