CHRISTMAS might be different this year for John Amores, as the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) declared that his license has been revoked, and he will no longer be able to compete in the PBA or any professional leagues.
North Port Batang Pier’s 51st pick in the 2023 PBA Draft will no longer play for them or in any other pro leagues, as the GAB confirmed that his professional career is coming to an end after his license was revoked.
This comes after they concluded their investigation into Amores’ role in a shooting incident in Lumban, Laguna, in September, and found him guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a professional basketball player.”
The government agency for professional sports issued a six-page verdict on Amores’ GAB Case No. 109-4, which was signed by chairman Francisco Rivera and commissioners Manuel Plaza III and Angel Bautista.
“Accordingly, the respondent is no longer allowed to participate in any professional basketball game sanctioned by the board,” said GAB, as reported by a media.
History repeats itself
In 2022, during an off-season competition, Amores was heavily criticized for striking UP Fighting Maroons’ Mark Belmonte, resulting in a gum fracture, tooth dislocation, and mouth lacerations.
Months later, Amores had another brawl and attacked the Benilde Blazers’ bench, with Taine Davis being smacked in the face and knocked down, and Jimboy Pasturan receiving a black eye from the hit.
“Number one nakatulong sakin yung pagte-take ko ng sports psychology and anger management,” said Amores in an interview with a media, before he got drafted at the PBA Season 48 Rookie Draft in 2023.
“Kailangan ko i-apply ‘yun sa mga darating na mga leagues kasi ito na yung pinaka-last chance ko… Hindi na pwedeng mangyari na sakin ‘yun lalo na sa PBA kung mapi-pick man ako,” he added.
Just when everyone thought the 6-foot-2 wingman had learnt his lesson since joining the PBA, Amores had another mishap. This time, it was an off-court incident in which ruined his young career.
In September, he was charged with attempted homicide following a shooting incident involving a P4,000 bet. PBA also suspended him from receiving any salary from the Batang Pier.
Two years was not a short amount of time to think and modify his ways. For a 24-year-old athlete like Amores, once should be enough to understand how to conduct oneself on and off the basketball court.
Now, instead of having a career and ending it quickly, Amores will be stuck wondering about what could have been a great career in the PBA and when he will be able to play the sports he loves so much.
