Ateneo’s Black calls Jarencio’s tirade ‘racist’

MANILA, Philippines – It was an intense game that saw University of Santo Tomas (UST) head coach Pido Jarencio fuming after his team’s loss, and spewing angry words — including a statement Ateneo de Manila University head coach Norman Black felt was racist towards him.

Jarencio on Saturday, October 6, voiced his complaints openly at referees who he felt were unfair in their game-officiating, and compared himself to Black, implying that referees favored the latter for being American.

“Kailangan ba mag-e-English ako para paburan ako? Ganoon ba laban dito? Hindi totoo. Nasa Pilipinas tayo, dapat tayong mga Pilipino mahalin niyang mga iyan,” he told reporters in a press conference after the game.

(Do I need to speak English to be favored? Is that how it goes here? We’re in the Philippines, we Filipinos should be loved by [the referees]).

In response, Black told Spin.ph that he found the statement mean and racist, saying that he felt Jarencio had “crossed the line” and made the rivalry personal.

“I can understand the frustration after the loss, but don’t make it like it’s a ‘He’s American and I’m Filipino’ thing. I think it’s unprofessional and I think it’s below the belt. I found it mean,” he said.

“I think [racism] has no place in basketball or in society,” he was quoted as saying.

Black, a black American born in Baltimore who moved to the Philippines in the 1980s, said he has experienced discrimination first hand and has, for that reason, been sensitive with the way he treats others. 

In a separate interview with Rappler in the beginning of the season, Black said he had never experienced racism during his 32 years in the Philippines and said he never felt that he had been treated differently for his skin color while living here.

“I’ve never really experienced any discrimination or people putting me down because I’m a black American,” he said. 

Ateneo leads UST 1-0 in the best of three series, and are vying for their 5th straight title. Jarencio for his part, said he does not intend to file a complaint against the referees but said he wanted his voice and dissatisfaction heard.

This is not the first time that UST complained about officiating. After they lost to the Blue Eagles in their second eliminations round match, they contested a goaltending call on Abdul and a “non-call” on Ateneo head coach Norman Black.

UAAP commissioner Ato Badolato rejected the complaint, saying the decisions were “judgment calls” by the referees.

The UAAP board is still studying whether it will suspend Jarencio for Game 2 set for Thursday, October 11, for his verbal tirade. – Rappler.com