Arwind Santos, the long-limbed stalwart of the Petron Blaze Boosters, should have been included in the lineup of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas which will represent the country in the FIBA Asia Championships this coming August 1-11. (Just a humble opinion from a big fan of Philippine basketball)
Just last night during the All-Star match between the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team and the PBA selections in Digos, Davao del Sur, Arwind Santos once more proved his worth after scoring 27 points to lead all scorers and also emerging as co-MVP (with Jeff Chan). That award could have been his alone if not for that huge trey by Jeff which evened the game at 124.
As a fan of basketball, I know Arwind Santos would be of big help for the national team. But I know there were many reasons behind that hindered him from playing for the country. He was actually one of the players being eyed by Gilas coach Chot Reyes and Arwind did showed his eagerness to help the Philippines regain its claim of basketball supremacy in Asia.
After the 17-man lineup was announced, Arwind's name was not mentioned. But that was not the end of all hopes for some fans to see Arwind Santos play for the Philippines. Just a month or two ago, forward Kelly Williams was erased from the list due to health problems. Because of that, the name of Arwind Santos joining the national team again echoed everywhere. But Chot Reyes turned all hopes down by saying it would be unfair for the other players who already started practicing if he would insert Arwind Santos as a replacement for Kelly.
Arwind's ability to defend even taller players with his leaping and shot blocking abilities will be of big help for Smart Gilas Pilipinas. He could have been a part of the team if not because of ... .
Anyway, there are still "next times." But I say, Arwind Santos is a big loss for Smart Gilas!
Just last night during the All-Star match between the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team and the PBA selections in Digos, Davao del Sur, Arwind Santos once more proved his worth after scoring 27 points to lead all scorers and also emerging as co-MVP (with Jeff Chan). That award could have been his alone if not for that huge trey by Jeff which evened the game at 124.
As a fan of basketball, I know Arwind Santos would be of big help for the national team. But I know there were many reasons behind that hindered him from playing for the country. He was actually one of the players being eyed by Gilas coach Chot Reyes and Arwind did showed his eagerness to help the Philippines regain its claim of basketball supremacy in Asia.
After the 17-man lineup was announced, Arwind's name was not mentioned. But that was not the end of all hopes for some fans to see Arwind Santos play for the Philippines. Just a month or two ago, forward Kelly Williams was erased from the list due to health problems. Because of that, the name of Arwind Santos joining the national team again echoed everywhere. But Chot Reyes turned all hopes down by saying it would be unfair for the other players who already started practicing if he would insert Arwind Santos as a replacement for Kelly.
Arwind's ability to defend even taller players with his leaping and shot blocking abilities will be of big help for Smart Gilas Pilipinas. He could have been a part of the team if not because of ... .
Anyway, there are still "next times." But I say, Arwind Santos is a big loss for Smart Gilas!
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