High School Career
Santos played for Lubao Institute during his high school career. In 2000, he became well known during zonal competitions because of his hardwork on the basketball court.
UAAP career
Santos arrived at the UAAP scene in 2002 with the FEU Tamaraws where he won Rookie of the Year honors. With the Tamaraws struggling to enter the Final Four, Santos was still able to put a decent performance. One of the highlights of his freshman year was a game-tying three against eventual champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.
In 2003, Santos led the Tamaraws to the UAAP title for the first time in six seasons, sweeping the Blue Eagles in the process. Santos was a candidate to win the Most Valuable Player Award, but was beaten by University of the East star James Yap. However, by leading the Tamaraws to the title, he was named Finals MVP. He was also named Defensive Player of the Year and was part of the Mythical Five together with season MVP Yap, Rich Alvarez, Paul Artadi, and Reynaldo Mendoza.[1]
Santos would win the Most Valuable Player plum the next season (2004) but the Tamaraws lost to the De La Salle Green Archers in three crucial games. However, with the controversy that surrounded the Archers, the title was then awarded to the Morayta-based team. He also made it to the UAAP Mythical Five alongside Mark Cardona, LA Tenorio, Paolo Bugia and Dennis Miranda.
In his last year (2005) in the UAAP, he again led the team to the title by sweeping the anticipated championship rematch against the Green Archers thereby giving the FEU Tamaraws a three-peat from 2003-2005. Santos was adjudged Season MVP and Finals MVP. He was also named to the Mythical Five with Isip, Tenorio, Edwin Asoro and Joseph Yeo.
He is one of the only two players in the FEU Tamaraws that had his jersey retired. The other was Johnny Abarrientos.
Philippine Basketball League
In 2003, Santos made his PBL debut for Viva Mineral Water, a team composed of fellow FEU teammates. After a slow start, he led the Water Force all the way to the PBL Unity Cup Finals, where they lost in five games to Hapee Toothpaste.
In 2004, Santos led Viva to its first PBL crown defeating Welcoat Paints in the 2004 Unity Cup. He was adjudged PBL MVP during the tournament and was part of the 2004 Mythical Five alongside former PBA players Jojo Tangkay and Chester Tolomia and teammates Dennis Miranda and Mark Isip.[2] In 2006, he led Magnolia Ice Cream to the PBL Heroes Cup title, coming back from 0-2 deficit to defeat Welcoat Paints. In the PBL Unity Cup, Magnolia made an early exit. However, Santos still made the Mythical Second Team in his final PBL conference.
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