NBA-bound Terrence Jones still relishes Philippines stint: ‘I love being here’

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Terrence Jones was the target of a racial slur in the heat of the PBA Commissioners’ Cup finals between San Miguel and his club team TNT.

San Miguel’s Arwind Santos taunted Jones with a monkey gesture late in the second quarter of Game 5 and that merited the 2013 MVP a P200,000 fine and scrutiny from the public.

Santos has since broadcasted a public apology via his Twitter account and sought out Jones during shootaround of Game 6 Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: Arwind Santos reaches out to Terrence Jones in person before Game 6

Jones said that Santos’ actions won’t affect his overall experience in the Philippines that has been nothing but great for him and his Filipino-American son.

“He apologized but it was close to game time and at the point, I’m in game mode, I heard him but I was more focused on the game at that point,” said Jones after TNT lost the series culminating in a 102-90 Game 6 defeat Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “

“I’m a human being, I just wanted him to respect me as a person, as a father, and as a black man. I’m here to represent my family, and I’m not saying anything bad about anybody else’s culture or race.”

READ: ‘Unacceptable’: Terrence Jones condemns Arwind Santos’ racist monkey taunt

Jones, who played seven seasons in the NBA, said his stay in the Philippines wasn’t just for basketball since he also was able to show his son Ajani the culture of his mother.

“To be able to bring my family here, my son, to show him his culture, his background, of him being a Filipino. It’s something I’ll never forget as a father, just being here to represent the US, my family, my mother to be here to learn a lot was a great experience.”

READ: Jayson Castro wins 5th BPC plum, Terrence Jones is Best Import

Even though Jones is preparing for a return to the NBA, he said that he would want to come back to the Philippines in the future and give back to the communities who welcomed him.

“Everybody was so warm and welcoming, just appreciative of me being here. I love being here, I love having my camp for kids, giving back to the community, even if I don’t play I definitely want to come back. Overall it was a great experience for me.”