John Amores has been suspended without pay by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for the entirety of the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
The NorthPort guard was penalized for conduct detrimental to the league after being involved in a shooting incident in Laguna last September.
Atty. Ogie Narvasa, a member of the PBA’s legal counsel, read the decision before reporters in an impromptu presser also attended by Commissioner Willie Marcial on Friday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Consistent herewith, both the PBA and the management of NorthPort are strongly against any kind of violence on and off the court,” he said.
Amores has been charged with attempted homicide for shooting yet missing a certain Lee Cacalda after a heated pickup game in Lumban.
He and his brother, John Red, though, were able to post bail, allowing as well the former JRU guard to sit down and explain his side to Marcial.
The PBA, however, said that the dismissal of his criminal case – if it ever gets dismissed – won’t prevent the league from penalizing him under PBA rules and standards as he violated certain provisions in the uniform players contract.
“The potential for young people to see Amores conduct as acceptable is disturbing, and this the PBA will not permit,” read a part of the decision.
And if ever his case does get dismissed, the league said that Amores is still required to undergo counseling before being cleared to return.
The choice of the counseling program should be with the approval of the PBA.
“For Amores to be allowed to play again in the PBA, he must without delay submit to counseling to address his anger and violent tendencies, and clearance to play must be obtained from his counsellor/s,” it read.
The rules on suspension of players shall be followed, the league said. He is still allowed to attend Batang Pier practices and join their activities.
“Isolating him from his normal environment will not be helpful and healthy for his rehabilitation,” the PBA explained. “He must learn to deal with his issues under as normal circumstances as possible.
“It is under normal settings, including the challenges and stress they create, where he can fully exercise tolerance and restraint.”
Amores will continue to receive his salary and other emoluments, but not the salary for the games where he is suspended, the league clarified.
#WATCH: PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and legal counsel Atty. Ogie Narvasa address the situation surrounding Northport’s John Amores
Justine Bacnis/Tiebreaker Times#PBA2024 pic.twitter.com/OLXV16wg3i
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 11, 2024
