Former San Miguel star Arwind Santos. File Photo/PBA Images.

MANILA (UPDATED) — San Miguel Beermen legend Arwind Santos got his No. 29 jersey officially retired on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena.

The nine-time PBA champion celebrated the ceremony with his fellow ‘Death Five’ SMB teammates Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, and June Mar Fajardo, his former head coach Leo Austria, the whole Beermen roster, as well as his wife and kids.

READ: San Miguel officially retires Arwind Santos’ jersey

"Tumawag sa'kin si boss Robert Non. Kinabahan ako noong tumawag siya, kasi hindi naman tumatawag si Boss Robert ng biglaan. Nasa gym ako noon, parang magaan yung mood ko noon, yun pala may magandang good news. Sobrang happy ko, sinabi ko yun sa family ko. Kasi nga hindi lahat talaga nakakakuha ng ganun," shared Santos on how he was informed about the ceremony.

However, the 2013 league MVP revealed that he is not closing the door for a PBA return.

"Ang [plano] ko next year, kasi nga gusto kong magpahinga," when asked when he is planning to make a comeback.

"Ang plano ko, bumalik ako next year para mag laro. Pero family time muna, mag business muna, mag share ng konting knowledge sa basketball."

"Napaka special ng binigay sa akin ni Lord, ayun nga, binigyan Niya ako ng retirement ng jersey. Pero that doesn’t mean na hindi na ako maglalaro kasi jersey lang naman yung ni-retire."

"Yung passion ko, yung pagmamahal ko sa basketball andiyan pa rin."

Santos, whose playing rights are actually with his last team in the league, the NorthPort Batang Pier, revealed that there were even plans for him to make an SMB return and play for them. But due to legalities, his on-court return will have to wait.

"Dapat [maglalaro]. Kaya lang, komplikado nga daw. Naiintindihan ko naman, kailangan pa ng trade ata? Kasi yung rights ko nasa NorthPort. So ako, mas pinahalagahan ko lang yung message sa akin na ire-retire namin yung jersey mo."

Aside from this, Arwind said that he is also recovering from nagging injuries.

"Galing ako sa injury nung nasa NorthPort ako. Nakakapag-laro ako, pero feeling ko hindi siya gagaling hanggat naglalaro ako," he explained.

"Kailangan i-pahinga siya. Nafe-feel ko na pag nagpapahinga ako, mas lumalakas siya. Yun yung nararamdaman ko."

"Pero ako, I’m still hoping at gusto ko makabalik. Passion ko at mahal ko pa rin ang basketball. Yung mga anak ko, gusto pa nila ako makitang maglaro, tiyaka yung ibang fans," Santos added. 

The former FEU Tamaraws star also shared that he is open to being a coach, but it is just not the right time for that at present.

"Why not? Pwede naman. Tumutulong tulong ako kay Denok Miranda sa FEU. Kaya lang siyempre pagka nag commit ka as coach, kailangan full-time ka. Ayoko kasi na pasulpot sulpot lang," said Santos.

"Kailangan totally committed, yung 100% talaga," he added.

RELATED VIDEO: