PBA slaps Amores with one conference suspension without pay

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After thorough deliberation, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board finally released its verdict on controversial NorthPort Batang Pier player John Amores.

According to PBA legal counsel Ogie Narvasa, Amores will face suspension in an entire conference without salary, following his shooting incident in Laguna several weeks ago.

Narvasa stated that Amores will not be suiting up for the entire PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the league’s next conference, for conduct detrimental to the league.

The decision was made possible through coordination with Amores’ mother franchise, NorthPort, and several key factors brought up by the PBA’s investigation team.

Aside from the conference suspension, the PBA also ordered Amores to undergo counseling, the second time in his basketball career, to address his anger management issues.

“He has to be cleared by his counselors. But remember, even after he’s cleared to play by his counselors but his program requires him to finish even beyond the clearance, he has to finish the counseling program,” said Narvasa.

In retrospect, Amores voluntarily surrendered to authorities after an attempted murder in Barangay Maytalang Uno. He fired a gun at Lee Cacalda, the person whom he argued with in a pick-up game.

He was with his brother, who was driving the motorcycle, when they chased Cacalda at the intersection of Maytalang Uno.

ABS-CBN News reported that it was their sibling who facilitated and coordinated with the Lumban police authorities as death threats started to pile up.

As of now, the NorthPort management is yet to confirm if they will be terminating Amores’ contract for good, after several violations committed by the young hooper from the Jose Rizal University (JRU).

“Quarreling with other players in a pick-up game, engaging in a challenge to a fight, chasing after his protagonist with a handgun, and then shooting his gun are not consistent with the standard behavior and image that the PBA wishes to project to its fans, particularly to its young followers,” the PBA’s decision stated.