Former NBA Player and Kentucky Star Terrence Jones Victim of Racist Taunt in PBA

Former NBA player and Kentucky standout Terrence Jones was allegedly racially taunted by one of his opponents during the PBA Finals.

San Miguel Beermen forward Arwind Santos made ape-like gestures directed at the former Houston Rocket while on the bench, which prompted Jones to respond on his Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

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. 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. Swift, significant action needs to be taken by the PBA to send a STRONG, clear message that racism in any form is UNACCEPTABLE will NOT be tolerated. (To read the story, click on the link in my bio⬆️)

A post shared by @ terrencejones1 on Aug 14, 2019 at 9:28pm PDT

Santos refused to apologize, simply categorizing his actions as "mind games", but there's a pretty clear line between mind games and blatant racism.

Jones has found trouble on the PBA court before, but this issue is absolutely unacceptable, and the NBA journeyman is justified in hoping the PBA will take action.

This should never happen. We are not a racist country. We believe in treating people with courtesy and respect as human beings.
— james jabonero (@jamesjaboo) August 15, 2019

Some Filipinos have vocalized their support for Jones, responding to his tweet about the incident, in hopes that the Philippines isn't painted as a racist country.

As a Filipino-American, I know how apparent racism can be throughout older generations and "traditional thinking", and the PBA has to steer their organization in the right direction by taking action.

For my non-Filipino followers, Arwind Santos taunted Terrence Jones with a monkey gesture during a game. Did he apologize for the racist act? No. According to Santos, how Jones reacts will determine whether he indeed is a monkey or not. Sorry world. Sorry human race. https://t.co/ZFCOmVWmMe
— Mickey Ingles (@MickeyInglesLaw) August 15, 2019

Here's to hoping Jones finds himself back in the NBA, an organization that's pushing the envelope in social justice and has zero tolerance for this sort of stuff.

Jones has bounced around the league since being drafted 18th overall by the Rockets in 2012, appearing with the Pelicans, Bucks and several G-League teams.