THE Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has come down hard on Basilan Starhorse forward Arwind Santos, handing him an indefinite suspension and a ₱100,000 fine following a violent on-court incident.
Another punching episode has rocked the MPBL—this time involving veteran and multi-titled ex-PBA star Santos—prompting the league to impose swift disciplinary action on Wednesday.
In an official statement posted on Facebook, league officials confirmed that the former San Miguel standout was sanctioned for the “punch that left Gensan’s Tonton Bringas with an injury to the face.”
Bloody Playoffs
During Game 2 of the South Division quarterfinals against the Gensan Warriors on Monday, the nine-time PBA champion was thrown out after being caught committing a disqualifying foul.
The altercation occurred as both players fought for position under the basket, when Santos struck Bringas in the face, sending him crashing to the floor with 8:35 remaining in the game.
Bringas’ camp has since called for accountability and fair punishment, as the Gensan big man sustained a left eye injury—with a risk of vision impairment—and a fractured nose that will require surgery.
“This is not just a minor injury. The damage is internal, and according to the attending doctor, there is a risk of vision impairment plus a fractured nose,” Julie Anne De Ocampo wrote in a Facebook post.
“This is a serious matter. We demand accountability and justice from MPBL. This is not just part of the game — this is a life potentially changed forever,” she went on to explain.
MPBL Getting Too Physical?
Meanwhile, basketball fans have taken to social media to call out league officials, expressing concern that the MPBL’s level of physicality has become excessive—drawing comparisons to the Michole Solera–Jonas Tibayan punching incident.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes clarified that the recent case differs from the Solera-Tibayan altercation, noting that the rough play in this matchup persisted throughout the game.
“Kay Arwind and Bringas kasi merong physical na nangyari before that action happened. We believe na may mga contact talaga that’s why siguro si Arwind ay na-provoke and nagkaroon ng punching incident,” he explained.
“Kung physicality pag-uusapan, right now both teams naman. And right now all the teams naman yun talaga ang nakikita namin medyo mabigat yung physicality.”
“Hindi lang naman sa incident ng Bringas and Arwind. Lahat naman po may ganun but to the extent that you throw a punch, iba na po yun. Diyan na po papasok yung liga,” Duremdes went on to say.
One-Sided Decision?
On the other hand, Santos cried foul on what he described as a “one-sided” ruling by the league, insisting that officials should have considered the prior physical plays he endured before imposing the sanction, rather than focusing solely on his reaction.
“Gumanti lang naman ako kasi nasasaktan na ko. Nagkataon lang napuruhan siya pero bakit ganun, ‘yung nagsimula ng gulo, wala man lang kahit ano? Ako na gumanti lang… ang tindi ng parusa,” Santos said.
“Parang ang tindi naman ng hatol. Buti sana kung out of nowhere sinapak ko lang siya. Hindi eh. Nakita nyo naman sa nagvi-viral na video ako ng ilang ulit na binibira. Hindi lang yun actually, all game long na ‘yun.”
“May trend din kasi.. Ako kilala nyo naman ako kahit sa PBA, hindi n’yo ko mababalitaan na nai-involve sa ganyan. Binatukan ako sa UAAP, sinakal ako ng kakampi ko [sa PBA], nakita nyo ba ko nag-react ng bayolente? Dito lang kasi nasasaktan na ko,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Basilan Starhorse shared the same stance in an official statement on their social media page, urging the league to review the penalties handed to Santos and ensure that the decision is made with fairness.
