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| Arwind Santos was slapped with a hefty fine for his racist slur on Terrence Jones. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
TAGUIG--Arwind Santos will have to give up a huge sum of money after the PBA penalized him for his unsportsmanlike conduct in Game 5 of the Commissioner's Cup Finals between his San Miguel squad and TNT.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial slapped the Beerman with a PHP200,000 fine for his inappropriate act.
Santos was seen doing a monkey gesture on Terrence Jones late in the second quarter of the said game that took place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Santos' action was met with backlash from netizens, calling it a racial slur.
He was even unapologetic when asked by reporters about the said gesture, saying that he was just playing mind games with Jones, even fuming the fans further with Jones, Ginebra star Joe Devance, and even actress Jackie Forster, the mother of young hoops stars Andre and Kobe Paras, chiming in.
But according to Marcial, a different Santos came to his office after he was summoned for his racist move, even saying that the forward was apologetic this time.
Santos himself confirmed that he was indeed apologetic after posting a video statement on his Twitter account.
"I didn't mean anything bad for you. I hope you forgive me. I wanna say sorry again," Santos said, apparently pointing the apology to Jones.
He also asked for forgiveness to his fans and his critics, saying, "Gusto ko ring humingi ng taos-pusong pagpapatawad sa mga fans ng Talk 'n Text, San Miguel, PBA, at sa lahat po ng nasaktan. Wala po akong masamang intensyon. Inaamin ko po. Mali po ako."
It was also resolved that Santos will do 100 hours of community service and undergo 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," said Marcial.
Santos, however, was spared of suspension from the league and is cleared to play for SMB as it tries to clinch the championship in Game 6 on Friday night also at "The Big Dome".
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Santos, however, was spared of suspension from the league and is cleared to play for SMB as it tries to clinch the championship in Game 6 on Friday night also at "The Big Dome".
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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