The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has made a decisive move in revoking the professional basketball license of John Amores, effectively barring him from participating in any professional basketball leagues in the Philippines. The decision, announced over the weekend, comes as a consequence of Amores’ involvement in a shooting incident in Lumban, Laguna, last September, as well as his history of violent behavior on and off the court.
GAB’s memorandum, signed by Chairman Francisco Rivera and Commissioners Manuel Plaza III and Angel Bautista, deemed Amores guilty of "conduct unbecoming of a professional basketball player." The revocation of his license was effective immediately, leaving no room for the 24-year-old NorthPort Batang Pier guard to continue his professional career.
This decision follows GAB’s investigation into an altercation that escalated to violence during a pickup basketball game involving a P4,000 side bet. Amores allegedly fired shots at a man, Lee Cacalda Lumangaya, resulting in a frustrated homicide case being filed against him.
The Amores brothers are currently out on bail, with their arraignment and pre-trial held earlier this month.
A Troubling Pattern of Violence
John Amores' troubled history has been well-documented:
NCAA Scandal: In 2022, during an NCAA game between Jose Rizal University and College of St. Benilde, Amores infamously punched several players in a violent outburst, leading to his indefinite ban from the league and expulsion from JRU’s basketball program.
UCBL Incident: Amores also assaulted Mark Belmonte in a UCBL game, causing severe injuries including a gum fracture and teeth dislocation. This led to a "serious physical injury" case being filed against him.
Despite these incidents, NorthPort gave him a second chance by selecting him in the 2023 PBA Draft and even signing him to a two-year contract extension. However, his continued violent behavior culminated in GAB’s firm decision to revoke his license.
Before GAB’s ruling, the PBA had already suspended Amores for the entire Commissioner’s Cup without pay, while also requiring him to undergo counseling to address his anger and violent tendencies. NorthPort allowed him to attend practices and other team activities on a minimal allowance but barred him from sitting on the bench or watching games live.
However, these measures seemed insufficient to address the deeper issues that plagued Amores’ career, ultimately leading to GAB’s intervention.
GAB’s decision to revoke Amores’ license is a clear signal that professional sports cannot tolerate behavior that undermines its values. Sports, at its core, is built on respect, discipline, and integrity—qualities that Amores has repeatedly failed to uphold.
No objective observer can argue that Amores deserves to remain part of the professional sports world. His actions, both past and recent, run counter to the very foundation of sportsmanship. Allowing him to continue playing would have sent the wrong message to fans, aspiring athletes, and stakeholders in the basketball community.
For John Amores, this decision marks a turning point. If he hopes to redeem himself, he must take accountability for his actions and work towards genuine rehabilitation away from the professional spotlight.
For the basketball community, this serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding standards of behavior. GAB’s bold stance ensures that the values of sports remain intact, even at the cost of losing a promising but deeply troubled player.
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