Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Basketball Association slapped the outspoken superstar of the San Miguel Beermen with a PHP 200,000 fine for offensive behavior.
“Humihingi siya ng apology sa lahat ng PBA fans, kay Terrence Jones, at sa koponan ng TnT,” said league commissioner Willie Marcial.
Santos will also serve 100 hours of community service, and will undergo seminars and counseling on equality and racial discrimination.
“Walang lugar ang racial discrimination sa basketball at sports in general, at sa PBA in particular. Hindi pinahihintulutan ng liga yung mga ganung aksyon, at kung maulit pa, mas mabigat na sanction ang ipapataw natin,” added Marcial.
The former league MVP was seen making a monkey gesture towards Jones during Game Five of the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Later in the night, he defended himself, saying that it will only be offensive if Jones took offense from it.
The league has opted not to suspend Santos.
For his part, Marcial apologized on behalf of the league, emphasizing that the PBA is against any form of discrimination.
“Bilang Commissioner, humihingi ako ng pasensya at pang-unawa kay Mr. Terrence Jones at sa kanyang pamilya. Ang PBA ay tahanan para sa lahat, bukas para sa lahat, at walang kinikilalang kulay, lahi, o paniniwala.”
