Arwind Santos did his part in San Miguel’s mind games against Terrence Jones in Game Five of the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Wednesday night.
Santos taunted Jones with 1:05 left in the second frame, but unfortunately, the 2013 MVP might have stepped a bit over the line.
While Santos was on the bench, cameras caught him mimicking a monkey while looking towards Jones after the 6-foot-9 American forward committed a turnover.
The 38-year-old then admitted that he received a warning from commissioner Willie Marcial and his coaches.
“Na-warning ako ni Commissioner tsaka ng mga coaches ko, kaya ‘di ko na ginawa. Basketball, mind games, ‘di ba? Malay mo makita niya at mapikon siya ‘pag tinatawag siya na ganun.
“Eh pabor sa’min. Na-warning naman kami, sinabihan kami. Nakaka-intindi naman kami,” he said after their 99-94 win which put the Beermen on the cusp of winning the title it lost last year.
Santos believes that such taunts are still acceptable at this day and age. The 13-year veteran out of FEU even admitted that he had done the same during his early years in the league.
“Dati naman, pwede mo isigaw yan. Kami nung nasa Air21 pa ako, time nila Dorian [Pena], tinatawag din namin na ganun, gorilla. Pero wala yun. Pang-asar lang yun, sinusubukan mo lang mang-asar,” he elaborated.
“Kasi magaling eh.”
Santos then said that he faces no sanctions from the league for his actions. Additionally, when asked if he will apologize to the former NBA cager, he said he will not.
“Magso-sorry ako? Hindi,” said a defiant Santos.
“Kasi depende yun sa kanya. Kung mapipikon siya, totoong monkey siya. Kung ‘di ka mapipikon, ‘di ka monkey. Kami nanga-asar lang.
“Kami nga magka-kapatid naga-asaran din kami. ‘Di ko naman sila kaano-ano. Gusto lang namin manalo. Kung mapipikon siya, hindi ko na kasalanan yun. Ganyan talaga basketball,” he closed.
