ANTIPOLO – John Amores officially returned to the PBA on Friday, vowing not to let this opportunity, which he considers his last, go to waste.
Amores saw action for nine minutes and 24 seconds off the bench during Titan Ultra’s 113-100 loss to Terrafirma in the opening game of the 50th Season Governors' Cup, scoring five points and grabbing two rebounds.
READ Geo Chiu's 19-23 double-double leads Terrafirma past Titan Ultra
It was Amores' first PBA game since an incident in Lumban, Laguna where he was accused of shooting a person he played basketball against last September 2024. During that time, Amores was under contract with NorthPort and was suspended indefinitely.
Prior to the incident, Amores gained notoriety when he got involved in a scuffle while playing for Jose Rizal University in the NCAA that saw him punch two College of Saint Benilde players last November 2022.
But Amores said that he has reformed through a thorough rehabilitation program, some of which he paid for personally, just so he could make a comeback.
Amores admitted he never thought he would be able to return to the PBA.
“Sobrang lesson sa akin ‘to kasi talagang akala ko, wala na ako,” Amores told reporters after his PBA return. “Nawalan na rin ako ng pag-asang makakabalik sa PBA. Nawalan na rin ako ng pag-asa na makakakuha pa ako ‘yung GAB license ko.”
“Kumapit lang ako kay Lord. Mas lumakas ‘yung pananampalataya ko sa Kanya. Nagpupunta ako sa church, humihingi ako ng guidance sa kanya kung paano niya ako maga-guide. Binigyan lang ako ng sign.
"Unti-unti, hindi naman biglang binigay sa akin. Meron ding mga Pastor na tumulong sa akin sa pananampalataya ko para mas malapit ako kay Lord,” Amores said.
To this day, Amores said he is always being reminded to stay out of trouble by several people including PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, with which he also spoke to after the game.
“Siyempre mas kailangan nating mag-ingat kasi nakatutok lahat sa akin,” Amores said. “Kagaya ngayon, kinausap ko ni Comm. na bawal ako sumali sa mga ganyang gulo kasi eto na ‘yung pinaka-last chance ko talaga na makapaglaro sa PBA.”
During his reformation, Amores said he went to see a psychiatrist and a sports psychologist, attended seminars conducted by the Games and Amusements Board, and held outreach programs in order to get a clearance to play again.
He said he is required to report to the GAB after six months to inform them about his progress.
“Hindi basta basta binigay ng GAB at saka ng PBA ‘yung lisensya ko. Pinagtrabahuan ko talaga,” Amores said.
“‘Yun ang pinakamabigat kasi sariling gastos. Ang pinang-sustento ko lang dati ‘yung mga paglalaro ko sa mga guestings, ligang labas, tapos ‘yung maliit na business. Mabigat kasi laki rin ng binayaran ko sa psychiatrist at sports psychology, tapos seminar,” Amores said.
But every centavo spent was worth it. Amores said he was surprised to hear the reception of the fans upon his entry to the game.
“Parang nagulat ako na nag-sigawan nung pagpasok ko. ‘Yung pagpasok ko sa court, wala naman sa akin ‘yung kaba kasi sanay na ako sa dami ng laro ko, ‘yung kaba wala na yun,” Amores said.
Amores said he will not let this chance go to waste.
“Nagtatrabaho lang ako. Kung ano ‘yung ipapagawa ng mga coaches, tatrabahuin ko lang,” Amores said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
