During the first four games of the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Terrence Jones played down the physicality of San Miguel’s defense and the taunts thrown at him by the Beermen.
But now Jones has had enough, as one of San Miguel’s players and leaders Arwind Santos has gone too far.
“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.”
With 1:05 left in the first half of Game Five, Jones committed a turnover. Then Santos, who was on the bench, celebrated by doing a monkey-gesture.
The 38-year-old Santos was unapologetic afterward.
“Magso-sorry ako? Hindi, kasi depende yun sa kanya. Kung mapipikon siya, totoong monkey siya. Kung hindi ka mapipikon, hindi ka monkey.
“Kami, nang-aasar lang. Kami ngang magkakapatid nag-aasaran din kami,” he opined.
Media men tried to get the former league MVP to apologize but to no avail.
“Kami nung time namin nung nasa Air21 pa ako, time nila Dorian (Peña) tinatawag din naming ganyan yan. Pero pang-asar lang yun. Parang sinusubukan mo lang mang-asar, kasi naiinis ka kasi magaling,” he continued.
After reading the stories, Jones – who is just 27 years young and a father to a half-Filipino boy – lamented what transpired.
“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 gestures,” he said in a lengthy Instagram post.
” They’re not only disrespectful to me but to my family and my race.”
Santos then tried to defend himself, saying it was mind games all along. But what he did was beyond the sport itself.
And Jones is hoping that the PBA will sanction Santos.
“This wasn’t a case of ‘mind games’ in an athletic competition – it was racism. Period. And it is unacceptable.
“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,” he asserted.
