I still remember the first time I watched Jimmy Santos step onto the PBA court as a rookie back in 2018. The energy was electric, but honestly, I had my doubts about whether this young player could transition from collegiate success to professional dominance. Fast forward to today, and I've witnessed one of the most remarkable transformations in Philippine basketball history. What fascinates me most about Santos' journey isn't just his individual growth, but how his career trajectory mirrors the strategic shifts happening within PBA team management structures.
When I look at Santos' early seasons, the numbers tell a compelling story of gradual improvement. His rookie year saw him averaging just 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game - decent but not spectacular. What impressed me even then was his basketball IQ. While other rookies were forcing shots, Santos understood spacing and defensive positioning in a way that reminded me of veteran players. I've always believed that basketball intelligence separates good players from great ones, and Santos had it from day one. His second season showed significant improvement, jumping to 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. But the real turning point came in his third year when his team started building around his unique skill set.
The organizational aspect of Santos' development brings me to something I find particularly intriguing - the dual role situation we're seeing with figures like Jarencio, who remains as Growling Tigers coach while serving as team governor of Terrafirma. This kind of front office structure creates fascinating dynamics that directly impact player development. From my perspective, having someone with coaching experience in a governor position creates more cohesive team building. Santos benefited tremendously from this type of environment where the people making personnel decisions understood the game from a coaching perspective.
What really cemented Santos as a championship contender was last season's performance. His stats jumped to 18.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game - putting him in the MVP conversation. I've watched him develop that killer instinct that separates all the great closers in this league. His mid-range game became virtually unstoppable, and his defense improved by leaps and bounds. The most impressive stat from last season? His team went 22-8 with him in the lineup but only 4-6 during the brief period he was injured. That's the mark of a true franchise player.
The current season has been Santos' true coming-out party as a legitimate championship threat. I've noticed how he's embraced leadership differently this year - he's more vocal during timeouts, pulls younger players aside during practices, and has taken responsibility for both wins and losses. His basketball maturity reminds me of the stories I've heard about Jarencio's playing days, where understanding the game was just as important as physical talent. Santos now averages 21.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 46% from the field - numbers that place him among the league's elite.
Looking at Santos' complete arc from raw rookie to polished professional, I can't help but feel we're witnessing something special. His development timeline - from role player to star to leader - represents the ideal progression that every team hopes for when they draft a player. The way his organization has built around him, similar to how Jarencio operates in his dual roles, shows the importance of organizational alignment in player development. As we head into the playoffs, I genuinely believe Santos has what it takes to lead his team to a championship. His journey serves as a blueprint for how talent, proper development, and organizational support can transform potential into greatness.
