PBA: Arwind Santos nails biggest shot of his career to break Alaska 'curse' on San Miguel Beer

The clock was winding down the last minute. Alaska led 78-76, placing them on the verge of slaying the gigantic talent San Miguel Beer in Game Seven of the 2015 Philippine Cup.

 

Arwind Santos thought it was a recurring curse - the Beermen, after all, led by as many as 23 points in the first half. All three games they lost in the finals series went by in a similar fashion - the Aces rising from the dead and suddenly turning the tables.

 

"Masakit kasi pag natalo kami kanina," he said when asked what was going through his mind before he made the crucial shots. "Kala ko 'yun na naman, parang sumpa na sa amin."

 

Santos got the pass from teammate Alex Cabagnot. He was already bone tired from staying on the court for 47 minutes, but he made the decision to shoot what would be the biggest shot of his career so far.

 

With 43 seconds remaining, he made the three. The San Miguel fans went wild.

 

"Nung tinira ko 'yung impact, 'yung follow-through ko ibang-iba sa ibang tinira ko nung mga unang quarter," said the forward, who scored 22 points for the Beermen. "Matigas na dahil pagod na ako, pero pumasok."

 

It was the one shot that changed the outcome of the game. San Miguel led, 79-78.

 

Santos, who would be named the Finals Most Valuable Player for his superb performance in the series, then drew a foul and split his charities to add an insurance point to their lead.

 

When the buzzer sounded signaling the end of the match, Santos was relieved that the curse was apparently lifted from them. The San Miguel Beermen became the new champions of the league, winning their 20th title and their first All-Filipino trophy in 14 years.

 

It was a victory long overdue - San Miguel was considered by many as the more talented and dominant team - but for Santos, they won not because of their skills, but ultimately because of their heart.

 

"'Yung laro kanina sobrang dikdikan, lamang sila. Hindi mo puwedeng sabihin 'yung talent namin ang nagpanalo kanina e," he said. "Parang hindi ko nakita 'yung talent, parang nakita ko lang 'yung puso ng bawat isa sa amin."  — ELR, GMA News