AFTER two years of mandatory community service and clinical evaluations, John Amores is eligible to reclaim his professional license — and hopefully his life.
For Amores, the path to getting back his Games and Amusements Board (GAB) license wasn't only about legal compliance; it was a total life reboot for one of the most controversial players to set foot in the PBA.
Speaking with SPIN.ph, Amores’ voice carried a mixture of relief and a sense of purpose as the door to a possible professional comeback opened slightly.
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“Grabe po pinagdaanan ko. Pero dahil mahal ko po ang basketball at career ko, talagang tyinaga ko. Gusto ko pong patunayan ang pagsisisi ko at pangakong magbabago na,” the former JRU Bombers mainstay told SPIN.ph.
Following the highly publicized shooting incident in Laguna and the ensuing court case, Amores’ license was revoked as the GAB mandated a strict reintegration program, requiring psychological and psychiatric consultations.
Amores claims he went beyond the required hours of community service, finding a strange sort of peace in the penance.
“Naging panata ko na po yung ginagawa ko. Nag-enjoy po ako at natuwa sa mga nakakasalamuha ko kaya po kahit tapos na yung oras na ni-require, tinuloy ko po. And I promise to continue with it, makabalik ako o hindi sa PBA,” he said.
His community service wasn't just a box to be ticked. Weekly, the former tough guy on the court could be seen sweeping roadsides and conducting grassroots clinics in Barangay Sabang, Pagsanjan, and Barangay Oogong in Sta. Cruz.
Through it all, Amores forged bonds with neighbors he once overlooked, including Barangay captain James Saguinsin.
When he wasn't on the court or the roadside, he was visiting orphanages like the Child Protection Unit in Brgy. Jasaan, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, holding feeding programs and distributing school supplies.
Despite being jobless and stripped of his professional income, Amores relied on a small circle of loyal friends, including Col. Josh Sabeniano, to keep his charity work going.
“Ngayon ko po na-realize na kapag down ka, dun lalabas yung mga tunay na taong nagmamahal sayo. And sa tulong nila, dun ko rin nakita na hindi lang pagiging PBA player o kilala ang buhay — kailangan mo ring bumaba para makita ang misyon mo sa Panginoon,” said Amores, who has also become a regular at the 4th Watch Pentecostal Church in Laguna.
Even the police officers assigned to monitor his compliance eventually became collaborators in his outreach programs.
“Nakakatuwa po na dahil sa nangyari sa akin mas namulat po ako sa pangangailangan ng mga mahihirap na tao. Mas nagising po ako sa role ko sa Panginoon at community,” he added.
Amores ready to turn a new leaf
“Ayaw ko na po. Sobrang dami ko nang pinagdaanan. At sabi nga nila, ang dami ko nang chance na sinayang. Eto po ngayon, if mapapagbigyan, I am sure ito na ang last na last chance ko. Hindi ko na sasayangin,” Amores said.
“May pamilya na rin po ako. Dahil sa kalokohan ko dati, sila ang higit na nag-suffer. Dinala nila yung pain ng naging iskandalo sa social media at sa personal. Tapos ngayon, eto may anak na rin po ako.”
Amores admitted it was his family - five-year-old daughter Maria Athena, Maliah Asiana, born just after the shooting incident, and six-month-old son, John Anthony - that suffered the most because of his past transgressions.
“Dumating po yung time na hindi ko alam saan ako kukuha ng pampa-anak ng misis ko, then after nun, saan ko kukuha ng pambili ng gatas. Wala pa run yung pag-aaral ng panganay ko at panggastos namin sa bahay pati kakainin,” he recalled.
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That desperation fueled his focus during his mandatory neuro-psychiatric examinations, where he remarkably recorded a high score of 96 across two separate evaluations.
“Sobrang pagsisisi po talaga ang nangyari sa akin. Kaya po nung nag-psychological at psychiatric exam ako at consultation, talagang dinidibdib ko.”
As for the legal hurdles, Amores confirmed that the criminal charges, including attempted murder, have reached a resolution.
“Acquitted na po ako sa kaso, matagal na. Nakipag-ayos na po ako at okay na kami nung nagreklamo. Okay na rin po kami ng mga kapamilya nya.”
“I am finding ways to befriend him and prove I am a renewed man,” he added.
GAB chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera confirmed to SPIN.ph that while Amores has been cleared administratively, the final reinstatement of his license is contingent on a formal contract offer from a PBA franchise — specifically Titan Ultra (formerly Northport), which owns his signing rights.
“He just needs to provide proof of a standing offer from a PBA team, then we can release his license. He has been cleared for reinstatement following his acquittal in the cases, but with specific conditions,” Rivera explained.
“He has to attend a continuing education seminar and, every six months, he needs to consult with his psychiatrist for anger management. There are safeguards in place.”
As the story of John Amores enters this new chapter, the image of the "enforcer" has been replaced by that of a father fighting for a second chance for his family and prove that a man’s worst mistake doesn't have to be his final act.
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