PBA: Cabagnot denies rumored rift with Santos

Alex Cabagnot's return to San Miguel Beer has been met with doubts from league observers due to rumors of friction between him and Arwind Santos.

Both players denied any row in separate interviews after their game against Talk 'n Text. The Beermen routed the Tropang Texters 109-86 to take Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals series, showing that all is well in their team chemistry.

"There was no bad blood between us," said Cabagnot of his relationship with Santos. "There hasn't been bad blood between us."

The guard played for four years in San Miguel before getting traded this year to GlobalPort, fanning the flames of his rumored feud with the 2013 Most Valuable Player.

Santos echoed the Cabagnot's sentiment, saying that the guard is even a godfather to one of his children.

"Malalim din ang pinagsamahan namin niyan," the forward said of Cabagnot. "May gumagawa ng issue diyan, akala nila magkaaway kami ni Alex. Hindi po totoo 'yun."

The two played well together on the court, dishing assists to each other and exchanging high-fives after completing baskets.

Cabagnot, who played behind SMB guard Chris Ross in the rotation, tallied 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists in his return game for the Beermen.

Asked whether he wished to be traded back to his former team, the guard said he was focused on his role in giving GlobalPort wins rather than thinking about something he could not control.

"I really focused on helping the team as much as possible to win," he said. "I never thought na sana ma-trade ako. Parang 'yung buong puso ko nasa situation ko." - RAF, GMA News