Arwind Santos On His Partnership With Peak: 'Sana Hindi Ito Yung Huli, Sana May Dumating Pa'

NorthPort Batang Pier Forward Arwind Santos recently launched his Peak SonicBoom signature sneakers on July 21, at Peak Philippines' newly opened store at Festival SuperMall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Santos' family and fans were among those that were thrilled with the announcement of new signature sneakers. He never thought something like this would happen in his pro basketball career and is grateful to God for the blessings.

"Nagpapasalamat ako. Sobrang lahat ng supporters – ng Arwind Santos fans – talagang natuwa rin at lalo na ang family ko, na hindi mo aakalain na akala ko matatapos na yung career ko di ako magkakaroon ng signature shoes," the PBA veteran said. "So, God is good all the time. Another blessing para sa akin yun. Kaya yun lang, pangalagaan lang natin kung ano mga binibigay ng Panginoon."

The 42-year old from Angeles City, Pampanga, joins fellow veterans LA Tenorio (Barangay Ginebra), Rafi Reavis (Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots) and Kelly Williams (Talk n' Text Tropang Giga), just to name a few, that are still playing in the PBA. Albeit NorthPort being undermanned during the PBA on Tour games, he's still enjoys being active on the court and motivates the young players on the team. He spends more quality time with his family since it's the league's preseason.

"So far, okay naman sa akin. Ang ginagawa ko na lang to motivate na lang yung mga young ones," said the 9-time PBA Champion. "Pero ngayon dahil wala naman season, pba on tour, ano lang, pasundot-sundot lang kasi siyempre, di pa buo yung team. Kulang-kulang pa."

"Ano muna, enjoy lang muna, tapos family, ganon-ganon muna ginagawa," he added.

In 2019, he was given an opportunity to play for Gilas Pilipinas again which was mentored by coach Yeng Guiao at the time. He only played one game during the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Iran in Manila but the team lost due to the lack of an import.

Despite the loss, he still thanked Guiao for tapping his services to play for the national team one last time.

"Siyempre, masaya ako dahil tinawagan ako ni coach Yeng [Guiao] para kunin ang serbisyo ko at naniwala siya na kahit papaano may maitutulong ako nung time na yun," Santos recalled. "Kaya lang sobra talagang kinapos din kami nung time na yun, dahil wala kaming import at the time eh. Kaya medyo hirap kami sa mga kalaban namin."

Dubbed as "Spider-Man", known for his signature "Spidey dunk", PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial restricted Santos from doing the move a few years ago. He's not entirely banned from doing the dunk in the PBA but says he can still do it when he gets the chance – only he can't do it more than once, that is.

"Oo naman. Kaya lang di lang nagkakaroon ng pagkakatoon, pwede ko pa naman siyang gawin – huwag lang dalawang beses," he said with a smile.

With his signature sneakers now officially out in the market, Santos is grateful to Peak Philippines for having his very first signature sneakers and hopes there's more to come from their partnership.

"Siyempre nagpapasalamat ako dahil ibang, ano to eh, opportunity. Naging endoreser din ako ng iba't-ibang brand pero eto talagang ginawan nila ako ng sariling sapatos na 'Arwind Santos' signature," the NorthPort Batang Pier forward said. "So first time, nagpapasalamat ako sa Peak [Philippines] family, na talagang nagtiwala sila at napili nila ako. So, sana hindi lang ito yung huli. Sana may dumating pa. More power talaga sa Peak Philippines."

The Peak "Arwind Santos" SonicBoom sneakers are now available at Peak stores, select SM Department stores, and online. Price is at Php 4495.