John Amores' Penalty Is A Small Tap In The Wrist

Early this month, the PBA imposed a suspension on John Amores without pay in all his games in the upcoming Commissioner's Cup of the league's 49th season. This was in response to his involvement in a shooting incident in Lumban, Laguna.

Atty. Ogie Narvasa, the league's legal counsel, and commissioner Willie Marcial announced the decision on 11 October.

"In coordination with the management of NorthPort, the Commissioner has decided that John Amores will be suspended for all his games in the next conference of the PBA's 49th season, without pay, for conduct detrimental to the league," Narvasa read from the decision.

"Furthermore, in order 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. Clearance to play must be obtained from his counselors. Choice of the counseling program of Amores should be with the approval of the PBA and the program must continue until cleared and terminated by the counselors," he added.

However, Amores’ sanction reminded the fans about the case of Magnolia veteran Calvin Abueva, who got suspended for 16 months after a pair of on-court incidents that saw him clothesline an opposing import and figure in a verbal spat with a spectator.

Slapped with an indefinite ban by the PBA in June 2019, Abueva missed almost three conferences before the league lifted his suspension in October 2020.

PBA legal counsel Ogie Narvasa said Abueva and the legendary Robert Jaworski Sr., who got banned for life by the Basketball Association of the Philippines in 1971 for assaulting a referee before being reinstated in 1973, came to mind when they discussed Amores’ fate in the league.

"They are like our children. Hopefully this is the turning point for them," Narvasa said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"Isolating him from his normal environment will not be helpful and healthy for his rehabilitation. 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. In any case, he will be subjected to stiffer penalties and restrictions should his violent tendencies erupt during team activities," Narvasa read from the decision.