The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) is considering prohibiting Northport player John Amores from participating in professional basketball leagues, such as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), following his involvement in a recent shooting incident in Laguna. GAB Chairperson Francisco Rivera discussed this matter during a Senate Finance subcommittee hearing, where they deliberated the agency’s proposed P157.869 million budget for 2025.
Rivera explained that despite Amores’ history of physical altercations in the National Collegiate Athletics Association of the Philippines (NCAA), GAB had previously granted him a license to play in professional leagues on the condition that he undergo anger management therapy. He emphasized that GAB had taken a chance on Amores in good faith, hoping that the therapy would address his behavior. “On the basis of his past conduct, it appeared to the Games and Amusement Board that [it] was still manageable… in the interest of giving him the opportunity to play,” Rivera said.
However, the recent shooting incident has cast doubt on this decision. “At present, considering the gravity of the offense that he committed… the same argument probably won’t no longer work for him,” Rivera added. Amores had signed an “undertaking,” a formal agreement pledging to behave appropriately once accredited by the GAB. Rivera confirmed that Amores likely has an anger management issue, yet admitted that GAB failed to follow up and check if he had completed the necessary therapy.
During the hearing, Senator Bong Go, who presided over the session, urged GAB to strengthen its regulations and oversight. He stressed the importance of preventing similar incidents from happening again and emphasized GAB’s responsibility to thoroughly check players before issuing permits. “Kindly strengthen niyo po ‘yan, pag-aralan niyo po nang mabuti at hindi po ito maulit,” Go said. He also emphasized the need for preventative measures, noting that there had already been incidents involving Amores, which raised concerns about his tendencies. “What if namatay yung binaril? Saka pa tayo magsisisihan… Prevention ang importante dito,” he added.
Apart from focusing on the PBA, Go advised GAB to collaborate with other professional leagues like the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League to ensure comprehensive regulation across the sports community. As for Amores, he and his brother were released from detention after posting bail following the attempted homicide charges against them two weeks ago. The GAB’s decision on his professional career remains uncertain, but it is clear that his future in Philippine basketball is at serious risk.