SMB's Arwind Santos blasted for showing no remorse after racist gesture

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel's statement 99-94 win in Game Five of the PBA Finals on Wednesday was marred when SMB player Arwind Santos drew flak for making monkey gestures on TNT import Terrence Jones.

While he was on the bench late in the first half, Santos was caught on camera mimicking a monkey after Jones was whistled for a foul.

Here’s a screenshot of Arwind Santos directing the gesture from the sidelines at Terrence Jones.#PBAonESPN5 #PBALabanKungLaban #PBACommsCup #PBAFinals pic.twitter.com/kVxAsXKFYv

— ESPN5 (@Sports5PH) August 15, 2019

Santos did not apologize for the gesture after the game, saying he was simply trying to get under Jones' skin.

Do you agree with Arwind?#PBAonESPN5 #PBALabanKungLaban #PBACommsCup #PBAFinals pic.twitter.com/hSc0kGy5T1

— ESPN5 (@Sports5PH) August 15, 2019

But PBA fans weren't having it, with more than a few basketball enthusiasts calling out the SMB forward.

A San Miguel fan, Renz Laron Llavore, took to Twitter and apologized to Jones for Santos' actions.

@TerrenceJones1 hi, I'm an SMB fan. From the bottom of my heart I want to apologize to you for what Arwind Santos did last night. It is unacceptable and I agree the PBA must take action to prevent recurrence of this racist gesture. I am very sorry Sir. #NoToRacism

— Renz Laron Llavore (@ZnerLlavore) August 15, 2019

"From the bottom of my heart I want to apologize to you for what Arwind Santos did last night," the tweet read.

"It is unacceptable and I agree the PBA must take action to prevent recurrence of this racist gesture," he added.

Twitter user @AirLajada also called for action from the league.

Can the PBA please penalize Arwind Santos for his RACIST gesture against Terrence Jones? @pbaconnect oh baka naman tako kayo sa SMB?

— Air Lajada (@AirLajada) August 15, 2019

"Can the PBA please penalize Arwind Santos for his RACIST gesture against Terrence Jones?" he wrote.

Meanwhile, fan Christian Bunales said the SMB forward should be suspended.

Wow. Arwind Santos should be suspended. Hassle mo mehn. Mind games is one thing, being racist is another.

— Christian Buñales (@chorbelitah) August 15, 2019

"Wow. Arwind Santos should be suspended. Hassle mo mehn" the tweet read.

Sportadoblogger, meanwhile, speculated on how Santos' teammates Chris McCullough and Chris Ross felt about his antics.

A pity Arwind Santos had to ruin the Beermen's great game with a racist taunt directed to Terence Jones. Wonder how McCullough and Ross feel about that?

— Sportadoblogger (@sportadoblogger) August 15, 2019

"A pity Arwind Santos had to ruin the Beermen's great game with a racist taunt directed to Terrence Jones," they tweeted.

Santos has yet to receive a penalty from the PBA but has since been reportedly summoned by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.