Arwind Santos fined ₱100,000, suspended indefinitely by MPBL for punching Tonton Bringas

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend Arwind Santos has found himself at the center of controversy after being fined and suspended by the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Santos, now playing for the Basilan Starhorse, was handed a ₱100,000 fine and an indefinite suspension by league officials on Wednesday, October 22, following an on-court altercation during the MPBL South Division quarterfinals.

The incident occurred in Game 2 of Basilan’s series against the GenSan Warriors at the Malolos Convention Center, where Santos was seen throwing a punch at GenSan center Tonton Bringas with 8:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. The two players were battling for position under the basket when Santos struck Bringas in the face, causing him to fall to the floor.

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Initially, the MPBL Commissioner’s Office imposed a ₱20,000 fine and a one-game suspension on Santos. However, after reviewing game footage and consulting with the league’s technical committee, the penalty was upgraded.

“We condemn the incident, and the MPBL will not tolerate such actions, especially during the playoffs,” MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said in a statement. “The league has full authority to impose sanctions on this deplorable act, and we hope that our measures help put an immediate end to such behavior.”

After facing public backlash brought about by its initial/prejudicial sanction, the Mpbl has hilariously upgraded its penalty on Arwind Santos, suspending him indefinitely and increasing his fine to ₱100k.

The question now is how long (or short) will the suspension last. pic.twitter.com/azrJZkSdgP

— PBA insider 🏀 (@PBAinsider) October 22, 2025

According to Bringas’ camp, the 6-foot-6 center sustained a left eye injury and a fractured nose that may 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. This is a serious matter. We demand accountability and justice from the MPBL. This is not just part of the game — this is a life potentially changed forever,” Julie Anne De Ocampo, a member of Bringas’ camp, wrote on Facebook.

The indefinite suspension could effectively end the 44-year-old’s 2025 MPBL campaign and possibly his two-season stint in the league. Santos joined the MPBL in 2023 with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, helping them capture a championship before transferring to Basilan in 2025.

Basilan has since released a statement expressing support for Santos while calling for a fair and balanced review of the incident.

“We stand by Arwind Santos. While we respect the league’s authority, we believe the sanctions imposed deserve a fair review. Prior to the incident, Arwind was subjected to repeated unsportsmanlike actions from Mr. Anthony Bringas that were left unaddressed by officials, thus escalating the situation,” the team’s statement read.

“We urge the league to reexamine the sanctions and also review the conduct of Mr. Bringas and the officiating team. We call for shared accountability among players, teams, and officials. We continue to advocate for a playing environment that’s fair, safe, and consistent for everyone.”

As the MPBL playoffs continue, Santos’ future in the league remains uncertain pending the results of the league’s ongoing review.

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