Giriang Jones at Santos

MANILA, Philippines — Umalma si TNT import Terrence Jones ang ‘racist’ remarks ni San Miguel Beer forward Arwind Santos at nanawagan sa PBA nang mabilis na aksyon sa insidenteng hindi katanggap-tanggap sa professional basketball.

“I cannot and will not tolerate racial slurs and gestures. They’re not only disrespectful to me but to my family and my race. I teach my son to be proud of who he is and to be respectful of all. This wasn’t a case of “mind games” in an athletic competition - it was racism. Period,” ani Jones sa kanyang opisyal na instagram account. “Swift, significant action needs to be taken by the PBA to send a strong, clear message that racism in any form is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Ang mga pahayag na ito ni Jones ay kasunod ng insidente kamakalawa ng gabi sa Game 5 ng 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals kung saan nakita si Santos mula sa SMB bench na umaktong parang unggoy sa second quarter ng laban matapos matawagan ng foul si Jones.

Napansin ito ng netizens at kaagad na kumalat sa social media na siyang nakarating nga rin kay Jones na hindi matanggap ang naging asal ni Santos.

Ayon pa kay Jones, malaki ang respeto niya sa Pilipinas at mga Pilipino lalo’t lahing Pinoy ang kanyang anak. Narito lang aniya sa bansa upang ipakita ang kanyang talento at hindi makatanggap ng ganitong trato.

“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. 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,” dagdag ni Jones.

Nauna nang nagpaliwanag si Santos post-game na ‘mind games’ lang daw aniya ang kanyang nagawa kamakalawa ng gabi. Una na ring pinili ni Santos na hindi humingi ng paumanhin bago nga kuma-big at humingi ng tawad kay Jones sa kanyang twitter account kahapon.

“First of all, I would like to say sorry to Terrence Jones. I didn’t mean anything bad for you. I hope you forgive me,” ani Santos. “I want to say sorry again.

Pinatawag na rin ng PBA Commissioner na si Willie Marcial si Santos kahapon at pinatawan ng P200,000 na multa. Kabilang din dito ang 100 oras na community service.