John Amores, a former player for NorthPort in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), has been permanently banned from participating in professional basketball leagues in the Philippines. This decision came after the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) revoked his professional license due to his involvement in a shooting incident in October.
In its six-page decision, the GAB declared Amores guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a professional basketball player.” The ruling, signed by GAB Chairman Francisco Rivera and Commissioners Manuel Plaza III and Angel Bautista, stated, “The respondent’s license is revoked effective immediately. Accordingly, the respondent is no longer allowed to participate in any professional basketball game sanctioned by the board.”
The incident that led to this revocation occurred after a basketball game in Lumban, Laguna. Amores, along with his brother, was involved in an altercation that escalated into a violent confrontation. Reports revealed that Amores argued with other players in a pick-up game, issued a challenge to fight, pursued an opponent with a handgun, and eventually discharged the firearm.
The PBA strongly condemned Amores’ actions, emphasizing their incompatibility with the league’s values and image. “Quarreling with other players in a pick-up game, engaging in a challenge to a fight, chasing after his protagonist with a handgun, and then shooting his gun is not consistent with the standard of behavior and image that the PBA wishes to project to its fans, particularly to its young followers,” the league said in a statement.
In addition to the GAB’s action, Amores faces legal repercussions, as he has been charged with attempted homicide.
This is not the first time Amores has faced disciplinary measures in his basketball career. During his collegiate years at Jose Rizal University, he was infamously banned from the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) in 2022. That ban followed a widely publicized incident in which Amores punched four players from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde during a game.
The recent developments have solidified Amores’ reputation as one of the most controversial figures in Philippine basketball. The GAB’s decision serves as a stern reminder of the high standards of conduct expected from professional athletes, both on and off the court.