THERE'S a possibility that PBA player John Amores can regain his professional playing license which was suspended indefinitely by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) following his involvement in a shooting incident last September.
Sources cited the case of Magnolia's Calvin Abueva, whose license was revoked by the government sports regulatory body in 2019 for oncourt incidents including the infamous clothesline against former Best Import Terrence Jones during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup game between Phoenix and TNT at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
READ PBA, NorthPort still waiting for GAB order revoking Amores license
Before his license was revoked, Abueva was banned indefinitely by the league for the aforementioned incident.
Abueva's suspension lasted 16 months and during that period, the player, with the monicker "The Beast," underwent psychological testing.
Amores’ case is far more serious, though, given the fact that he reportedly shot at a man over a grudge of an alleged unpaid side bet in an exbition game in Laguna. He was charged with attempted homicide along with his brother who was cited as an accessory.
The case had its preliminary hearing last Dec. 4.
Sources contacted by SPIN.ph said there is a likelihood a settlement could be reached between the parties involved, but it could come at a huge financial cost for the NorthPort player for that to happen.
If a settlement takes place, league insiders said there is no reason for GAB to deny Amores a license if and when he reapplies.
Because of the incident, the 25-year-old guard out of Jose Rizal University has been suspended without pay by the PBA for the entire Commissioner’s Cup.
While the case was ongoing, he is paid for joining team practices and other related team events. But following the revocation of his playing license, the allowance was reportedly suspended.
The PBA has also ordered Amores to undergo counselling to address his reported "anger and violent tendencies’" before the league begins discussing his reinstatemnt.
Alohi drafting comes at a steep price
ALOHI Robins-Hardy is poised to enter next year’s PVL Draft.
Robins-Hardy’s eligibility to be signed as a free agent was in question for the past few months as she has not played in the PVL since the league turned pro in 2021.
She is currently part of the Farm Fresh coaching staff, with mainstay captain Louie Romero on playmaking duties.
The 6-foot-4 Fil-Hawaiian playmaker, however, wants to play and is keen on joining what is expected to be a stacked 2025 draft class, possibly featuring the likes of college aces Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
Between now and the PVL Draft, she’ll also take on coaching duties as a deputy for the rebuilding University of the Philippines women’s volleyball team for the coming UAAP Season 87.
However, there is no guarantee that Robins-Hardy will land in either Farm Fresh or its sister team ZUS Coffee as the drafting order will still depend on the conference rankings and the lottery for the first four selections.
Should she enter the draft and not be picked by Farm Fresh, the team that signs her may have to shell out quite an amount as her talent reportedly is not cheap. Sources said that any PVL team outside of the Strong Group Athletics stable which drafts Robins-Hardy might have to shell out one to two million pesos to cover her signing bonus, passport fees and other related expenses.
Any team that is interested to get her services may have to think: Is she worth it?
JMF homeward bound
JUNE Mar Fajardo hurriedly left the Philsports Arena on Sunday night following San Miguel’s 99-91 overtime loss to Hong Kong team Eastern.
The eighth-time MVP was again a dominant force for the Beermen with 23 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, and two block shots, but these proved not enough to stop Eastern from dealing San Miguel a second straight loss in four days.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo briskly walked out of the San Miguel dressing room and greeted a number of PBA Press Corps members waiting outside a Merry Christmas.
He, however, courteously declined interviews but not because of the San Miguel loss.
“May hinahabol akong flight,” said Fajardo.
As it is, the 35-year-old big man will spend the holidays in Cebu and would like to fly as quickly as possible to his hometown to maximize the three-day break given by management so the Beermen and staff can enjoy a longer Christmas celebration.
The Beermen will be off from Dec. 23 to 25 before resuming practice again on Dec. 26.
The reigning champions probably need the rest and relaxation as they have no less than the Barangay Ginebra Kings as their first opponent when they resume their campaign in 2025.
Dwight Howard out, DeMarcus Cousins in for SGA
RULE out a second stint by Dwight Howard for Strong Group Athletics in the Dubai International Basketball Championship next month.
SGA coach Charles Tiu said Howard, one of the NBA's top players but who has not played in the NBA the past several years, won't be part of the Philippine club in the coming competition where they will look to improve on their second-place finish in the 2024 edition.
Tiu did not say whether Howard was invited and then declined the invitation, or whether there was disagreement regarding compensation. Players like Howard cost a small fortune although the SGA is not wanting of financial reserves.
At the moment, DeMarcus Cousins is the first import to commit to Strong Group Athletics with the team still in search for other reinforcements.
SGA president Jacob Lao already said that NBA veterans are what the team is eyeing for the Dubai tournament after they had the likes of Howard and Andre Roberson in their team that finished runner-up to Al Riyadi the last time out.
The team still has time to sign up players with the tournament slated January 24 to February 2.
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