MANILA, Philippines—TNT import Terrence Jones has condemned the racist gesture of PBA veteran Arwind Santos which happened late in the first half of San Miguel’s 99-94 Game 5 win in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup FInals Wednesday night.
Jones also called on the PBA to take immediate and strong action against Santos, who was caught on camera mimicking a monkey during a play in front of the Beermen bench.
“Swift, significant action needs to be taken by the PBA to send a STRONG, clear message that racism in any form is UNACCEPTABLE will NOT be tolerated,” said Jones in an Instagram post.
READ: Arwind Santos not sorry for monkey gesture towards Terrence Jones
“I don’t normally post responses to negative things said about me – but as a father and a black man, this can’t be ignored,” also said the former NBA player, who has a Fil-American son.
“I came to the PBA to play – and to share my talent – in a country where I have tremendous respect for its culture and its people. My son is of Filipino descent. I cannot and will not tolerate racial slurs and gesture.”
Santos, though, was unapologetic of his gesture, chalking it up as simply part of the “mind games” that come with the PBA finals.
READ: San Miguel moves closer to another PBA title, overcomes TNT in Game 5
“Sorry ako? Hindi. Depende ‘yun sa kanya (Jones). Kung mapipikon siya, totoong monkey siya,” said the former PBA MVP.
But Jones, who is in his first tour of duty in the PBA, refused to accept Santos’ reasoning.
