The NCAA emphasized it condemns any form violence after what happened last November 8 that saw John Amores run amok, hitting four College of Saint Benilde players in an on-court tirade.
“In the days following the incident, a lot has been expressed on social media and various public platforms. Many of these statements and comments were hurled against John Anthony Amores, while some are directed towards the NCAA as an institution and JRU.
“We wish to let everyone know, that the NCAA joins the public sentiment, condemnation, and outrage against violence and hooliganism in sports, and that we do not tolerate nor encourage violence in any form,” read the statement of NCAA legal counsel Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada.
The league went on to say that quick actions were made on their part right after the occurrence by imposing an indefinite suspension to Amores, saying that it was carefully deliberated by all of the NCAA Management Committee.
They also stressed that the decision made on the suspended player is still room for revision as the league is still continuing the review of the incident so that such an act would not happen again in the future.
“We wish to reiterate that the Association has immediately dealt with the players involved in the incident by issuing the corresponding sanctions through the NCAA Management Committee (Mancom) in its resolution dated 9 November 2022 including the imposition of an indefinite suspension on John Anthony Amores from the NCAA. The resolution of the Mancom was arrived at after careful deliberation, due process, and in accordance with the NCAA’s Manual of Operations,” said the statement.
“Due to the gravity of the offense, our collective response to the incident does not end there as we continue to review our internal rules, processes, possible changes and interventions to ensure that incidents such as this are deterred, discouraged, and prevented from happening again in the future,” it continued.
The Grand Old League also respects the two CSB players’ decision on filing a case on Amores.
Just last Friday, both Taine Davis and Jimboy Pasturan filed a case against the Amores at San Juan’s City’s Prosecutor’s Office.
“We also respect the decision of some of the parents of the players who have taken the issue to judicial processes as this is well within their rights. On this development, the NCAA is not in the position to give its comments on the culpability and liabilities of John Anthony Amores and others involved under the law and shall defer the matter to the sound determination of authorities and the courts,” said the statement.
To end the statement, NCAA said that the decision imposed on the incident was made with a leeway, hoping for a reformation on the end of the erring player.
“We wish to reiterate that the NCAA, the oldest collegiate athletic association in the country, is an association of educational institutions and the players involved are still students. As such, we undertake to address the incident consistent with the principles of learning and student discipline. As we ensure sanctions imposed do not undermine the gravity of the offense and that it deters others from committing the same acts, we also ensure that the sanctions still leave a space for reformation and rehabilitation of erring players, no matter how small.
“Consistent with the tradition and reputation of the NCAA as a training ground of student-athletes that eventually became legendary professional players that bring honor to our country, we remain committed in aligning our association’s goals with the country’s promotion of sports development to foster physical fitness. self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence among the Filipino youth,” the statement ended.
