Jose Rizal University’s head coach Louie Gonzalez finally broke his silence regarding his ward John Amores and the fracas that occurred last November 8 at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
Though Amores is being condemned for what he did during the infamous game with JRU and College of Saint Benilde, Gonzalez still firmly believes that the 23-year-old utility winger still has not lost his good side.
Yes, Gonzalez still sees Amores as the meek player he recruited from JRU High some four years ago. Yes, he still believes that his son has not lost his warm heart.
“John is like my son. I talked to him almost everyday, hindi ko pababayaan ‘yung anak kong ‘yun. He’s like a son to me, parang apo ko na rin ‘yung anak no’n and I’m happy na he’s doing fine,” Gonzalez expressed.
“And hopefully na he’ll be back, hindi ko naman sinasabi na…mali ‘yung nangyari. It’s unfortunate – I think the right word is it’s really unfortunate. Pero si John mabait na tao. Mabait na bata.”
Though Amores has been removed from the JRU athletics program, Gonzalez vowed that the Heavy Bombers will not leave their brother alone.
Still, it is up to Amores to atone for his actions.
“The focus right now is paramdam ko lang kay John na nandito kami, na nakasuporta sa kanya. Pero again, we spoke to him na may mali talaga. Merong mali and hindi naman lahat ng tao perpekto, pero alam namin na matututo siya dito sa sitwasyon,” he said.
“Hindi lang kasi player ‘yung pinag-uusapan kasi namin with John eh. Hindi na muna ‘yung paglalaro niya, bilang tao muna. Bilang tao, bilang ama, bilang partner.”
The Grand Old League’s management committee meted Amores with an indefinite suspension.
Though it will be up to JRU and Gonzalez to bring him back, the president of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines is not thinking about it yet.
What he wants Amores to do is to first rebuild his life before going back to the hard court.
“Hindi pa namin pinag-uusapan eh. I don’t want to rush things on him eh.” shared Gonzalez.
“Kaya siguro kaya ang unang-una na pinu-push ko kay John right now is to spend time doon sa pamilya niya, especially doon sa anak niyang babae. Relax muna and ‘wag muna isipin, and siguro just make up for the time lost.”
