ROS’s alternate gov hits SMB star Santos’ ‘offensive’ remark

On Monday, Rain Or Shine alternate governor Edison Oribiana hit out at San Miguel’s Arwind Santos for the latter’s remarks on Sunday night. (Photo: PBA)

MANILA — A pre-PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals drama is already brewing, and we’re just in the semifinal phase.

On Monday, Rain Or Shine alternate governor Edison Oribiana hit out at San Miguel’s Arwind Santos for the latter’s remarks on Sunday night.

Santos, when asked about his thoughts on which team the Beermen would likely face in the best-of-seven championship after clinching their semifinal series against the Alaska Aces, said, “Tingin ko Ginebra. Kaya sila na siguro paghahandaan namin. Hindi namin nakikita na tatalunin sila ng Rain Or Shine (The way I see it, it’s Ginebra. That’s why we should start preparing for them. We don’t see Rain Or Shine beating them).”

In a statement, Oribiana reacted. “As alternate governor of ROS, I take offense in Arwind Santos’ statement that there is no way our team will beat Ginebra in this series. What makes him so sure about his statement, does he know something we don’t?” he said.

Oribiana insisted that time and again, “we have shown that we can beat Ginebra on any given Sunday.”

“We have the talent, skills and motivation to beat them. What I don’t understand is how this player can issue a statement that is a blatant disregard for respect to another team who is trying its very best to reach the finals,” he said.

Oribiana later said that this “insult to the entire Rain Or Shine organization and its fans” will give the team “extra motivation to ‘dare to dream’ and achieve what Mr. Santos said as ‘impossible’.”

The Elasto Painters are trailing the Barangay, 1-2, in their best-of-five affair with Game 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City later Monday.