San Miguel Beer forward Arwind Santos was fined P200,000 by the PBA for his monkey gesture directed at TNT import Terrence Jones in the second quarter of Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals last Wednesday.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, who summoned Santos on Thursday, said the San Miguel player will also render 100 hours of community service and undergo seminar 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 ganu’ng aksyon, at kung maulit pa, mas mabigat na sanction ang ipapataw natin,” said Marcial.
“Bilang Commissioner, humihingi ako ng pasensya at pang-unawa kay Mr. Terrence Jones at sa kanyang pamilya. Ang PBA at tahanan para sa lahat, bukas para sa lahat at walang kinikilalang kulay, lahi o paniniwala,” Marcial added.
Marcial said Santos was apologetic during the meeting.
“Humihingi siya ng apology sa lahat ng PBA fans, kay Terrence Jones at sa koponan ng TNT,” said Marcial.
Marcial said Santos will also issue a public apology.
The SMB star came under fire after he was seen dancing like a monkey at the sidelines after Jones was called for a foul late in the second quarter of Game 5 eventually won by the Beermen, 99-94, for a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven titular series.