JOHN Amores faces another investigation by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) regarding the shooting incident he and his brother got involved with last month following a pickup game in Lumban, Laguna.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial met with GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera to present the decision of the league to suspend the 24-year-old Amores for one entire conference during the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup.
READ: PBA suspends John Amores without pay for Commissioner's Cup
Marcial said it’s up to the regulatory body for professional sports to hold its own inquiry on the Sept. 25 incident and hand out its own decision.
“Kausap ko si Chairman Rivera and pinakita ko yung decision namin (PBA) sa kanila,” said the commissioner Friday when the league announced the suspension of Amores for the entirety of next conference without pay.
“Meron din silang sarili (investigation). Iimbestigahan din nila ng kanilang legal at ni chairman kung ano gagawin nila,” Marcial added. “Hindi pa namin alam kung ano ang gagawin ng GAB, pero may coordination na kami sa kanila.”
Amores to undergo anger management
At the same time, Amores has been told by the PBA to go through counselling before he may go back to the league.
The directive was one of the conditions made by the concerned parties following the decision to suspend Amores for an entire conference.
“In order to be allowed to play again in the PBA, he must, without delay, submit to counselling to address his anger and violent tendencies,” said legal counsel Atty. Gregorio ‘Ogie’ Narvasa II.
“Clearance to play must be obtained from his counsellor/s. Choice of the counselling program of Amores should be with the approval of the PBA, and the program must continue until cleared and terminated by the counsellor/s.”
Narvasa was among those who participated in the deliberations on the Amores case along with Marcial and NorthPort team governor Erick Arejola.
While Amores is not allowed to play or show up in games, he can still be join Batang Pier practices and other team activities during his suspension.
“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,” said Narvasa.
“It is under normal settings, including the challenges and stress they create, where he can fully exercise tolerance and restraint,” added the PBA legal chief. “In any case, he will be subjected to stiffer penalties and restrictions should his violent tendencies erupt during team activities.”
But Narvasa made clear where the league stands as far as violence is concerned.
“Consistent herewith, both the PBA and the management of NorthPort are strongly against any kind of violence on and off the court. They also advocate ownership and safe handling of guns,” he added.
They also admonished the product of Jose Rizal University for his behavior unbecoming of a PBA role model.
“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 are not consistent with the standard of behavior and image that the PBA wishes to project to its fans, particularly to its young followers,” said Narvasa.
“The potential for young people to see Amores' conduct as acceptable is disturbing, and this, the PBA will not permit.”
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