Arwind Santos

Far Eastern University

Basketball Player

Air21 Express Basketball Team

Playing Basketball and Reading

Cancer

Name: Arwind Santos

Nickname: Arwin

Born July: 19, 1981 (1981-07-19) (age 27)
Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines

Nationality: Philippines

Monicker: The whirlwind, The human eraser, Spiderman

Birthday: July 19, 1981

Height: 6′4″

Weight: 170lbs

Position: Small Forward/ Power Forward

Jersey No: 29

Year drafted: Selected second overall behind top pick Kelly Williams by Air21 in the 2006 Rookie Draft.

Years Pro: 2

College: Far Eastern University

Hobbies: Basketball and reading

Hometown: Angeles City, Pampanga

Pro career: 2006–present

Former teams: Viva Mineral Water, Magnolia (PBL)

Awards: one-time PBL Most Valuable Player (2004), two-time UAAP Men's Basketball MVP (2004-2005), one-time UAAP Men's Basketball Finals Most Valuable Player (2005), PBA Mythical Second Team (2006-07)

Player’s note:
When Sta. Lucia Realty made Kelly Williams its top pick, Air21, as expected, had turned Arwind Santos as the league’s 2006 second pick overall because of his superb performance in the UAAP and PBL. Santos, though lost the Rookie of the year honor last year to Williams, is continuing his pursuit of greatness to lead his team to first-ever championship this season.

Last season, Santos was second among rookies in point production, averaging closely 15 points per game.

Santos, at 6-foot-4, has blessed with long arm with high-leaping ability and soft perimeter touch which he can also adjust beyond the arc.

He played for Magnolia in the PBL and averaged 13.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in the last Unity Cup. His entry into the Express’ fold last year had made Air21’s frontline deeper and more athletic.

Achievements: Santos is a member of 32nd PBA Second Team and All-Defensive Team, a two-time UAAP MVP (2004 and 2005), UAAP 2005 Finals MVP and PBL Unity Cup MVP and mythical team member.

Career-high: Arwind Santos had a career-high 25 points on a 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, 5-of-5 from the two-point zone and 6-of-6 from the stripe last year during a 101-105 loss by Air21 to Red Bull last May 21, 2007.

Santos scored 23 points to lead the Express to a 103-99 win over San Miguel Beer last June 6, 2007 to clinch their first-ever quarterfinals slot.

More about the player:
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. Santos was one of the leading contenders for the Rookie of the Year honors last season, but Sta. Lucia’s Kelly Williams captured the honor via 2951-677 total votes from the PBA, Stats, Players and Media.

Statistics: Santos averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 block in 18 games played last Fiesta Conference.