Arwind Santos

Source: PBA.PH

Name:	Arwind Santos
Jersey Number:	29
Team:	Air21
Birthdate:	1981-06-10
Birthplace:	Manila
Height:	6'4"
Weight:	170 lbs.
Position:	Forward
Draft(Year):	2nd overall by Air21 (2006)
College/University:	Far Eastern University
Monicker/Nick:

Arwind A. Santos (born June 10, 1981 in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines) is a Filipino basketball player, playing for Far Eastern University in the UAAP and the Magnolia Ice Cream Spinners in the Philippine Basketball League. Santos was selected second overall by the Air21 Express in the 2006 PBA Draft. He was born as the third of four children to Ernesto Santos and Araceli Anaya-Santos.

Amateur career

UAAP career

Santos arrived at the UAAP scene in 2002 with the FEU Tamaraws where he was known for his jaw dropping,awe inspiring two hand monster slams with his feet raised above the rim. With the Tamaraws struggling to enter the Final Four, Santos was still able to put a decent performance. One of the highlights of his freshman year was a game-tying three against eventual champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.

In 2003, Santos led the Tamaraws to the UAAP title for the first time in six seasons, sweeping the Blue Eagles in the process. Santos was a candidate to win the Most Valuable Player Award, but was beaten by University of the East star James Yap.

Santos would win the Most Valuable Player plum the next season but the Tamaraws lost to the De La Salle Green Archers in three crucial games. However, with the controversy that surrounded the Archers, the title has been given to the Morayta-based team.

With rumors speculating Santos' potential jump to the PBA lingering, Santos decided to play one more season in 2005, winning his second straight MVP Award and led the Tamaraws to a 2-0 sweep of Green Archers in the finals. However, controversy struck Santos, as he was deliberately hit in the back by DLSU team assistant manager Manny Salgado after the first game of the series. Santos averaged a double double in his final year.

He is the only player in the FEU Tamaraws that has his jersey retired. His jersey number 19 is retired and hanged at the rafters of the FEU Gym.

Philippine Basketball League

In 2003, Santos made his PBL debut for Viva Mineral Water, a team comprised of fellow FEU teammates. After a slow start, he led the Water Force all the way to the PBL Unity Cup Finals, where they lost in five games to Hapee Toothpaste.

In 2004, Santos led Viva to its first PBL crown, defeating Welcoat Paints. He also won the PBL MVP during the Unity Cup. In 2006, he led Magnolia to the PBL Heroes Cup title, coming back from 0-2 deficit to defeat Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Despite Magnolia's early exit in the 2006 Unity Cup, he was named to the Mythical Team in his final PBL conference.

Professional career

In the 2006 PBA Draft, Santos was selected second overall by the Air21 Express. He later signed a deal to play his first three seasons with the team, playing alongside Ranidel and Yancy de Ocampo and KG Canaleta.

He ranked first among rookies in scoring during the Philippine Cup and almost led the Express to a quarterfinals appearance only to fall to the Sta. Lucia Realtors in a knockout match.Air 21 lost because of Arwind's mistake,trying to dunk with one hand where he was double blocked by Kelly Williams and Marlou Aquino.He managed to bounce back with the last shot,a three pointer from 33 feet.

Santos is one of the leading contenders for the Rookie of the Year honors at season's end with the likes of Sta Lucia's Kelly Williams and Welcoat's Jay-R Reyes as among the possible winners.

2007-08 (PBA Season Stats)

• 16.64 Points Per Game
• 9.4 Rebounds Per Game
• 1.50 Assists Per Game
• 1.40 Blocks Per Game
• 1.11 Steals Per Game
• 43.3 FG%
• 69.8 FT%

Personal life

Arwind Santos is married to and has one child with Karyn Maye U. Santos, who sued him for Bigamy and abandonment of the family on January 2006 after he married Ivette Iza R. Gavieres, daughter of the former coach Danny Gaiveres.

International career

Recently, he joined the Philippine national basketball team for the 2006 William Jones Cup in Taiwan. The team finished sixth out of the eight teams in the tournament. Santos was ejected in one of the games due to an altercation with an opponent.

Achievements

UAAP

• 2-Time UAAP Most Valuable Player
  • 67th UAAP season
  • 68th UAAP season

Philippine Basketball League

• 1-Time PBL Most Valuable Player
  • 2004 PBL Unity Cup

Philippine Basketball Association

• 1-Time PBA 1st Mythical 5
  • 2007-2008 33rd PBA Season

(Wikipedia)