Is dancing after a loss okay? De Paula discusses cultural differences and the Cheng Hao-chun smiling incident

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 24. The CTBC Brothers lost 0-2 to the Wei Chuan Dragons yesterday. During the post-game concert, pitcher Jose De Paula danced along to the music. While local players refrained from big gestures, De Paula attributed this to cultural differences between Latin America and Asia, and also mentioned the previously controversial "smiling incident" involving Cheng Hao-chun. CTBC Brothers pitcher Jose De Paula started yesterday, pitching 8 innings and allowing 5 hits, but a 2-run homer by Dragons hitter Chiang Shao-hung in the top of the 8th inning proved fatal, leaving him with the loss. De Paula told the media today that if it weren't for that home run, he would have wanted to continue pitching into the 9th inning. Although the team lost, De Paula danced the "Gangnam Style" horse dance after the game. He said that PSY's songs are world-famous, and since the team had arranged a concert, he just wanted to enjoy it, adding, "I hope people don't think, 'How can you be so happy after losing?'" De Paula stated that the way baseball is viewed in his home country of the Dominican Republic or Latin culture is different from Asian culture. "No player wants to lose; everyone gives their best. But regardless of the result, once the game is over, you have to enjoy life." Regarding the previous incident where Cheng Hao-chun was criticized by fans for chatting and smiling with teammates after a poor start, De Paula brought it up himself. "Often it's social pressure. When 'Mei-Mei' (Cheng's nickname) smiled, it might not have been intentional. If we were in first place in the league, would everyone's reaction be different?" De Paula urged fans and players to let go once the game is over. "If you want to be so sad and miserable, what's the point of life? We are alive to enjoy every moment."