John Amores banned for PBA Comm's Cup in Lumban shooting aftermath

John Amores will miss the entire PBA Commissioner's Cup as he serves a suspension the PBA slapped on him. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PBA handed a one-conference ban on embattled NorthPort guard John Amores as he deals with an ongoing attempted homicide lawsuit.

This means he will not see action at all in the upcoming PBA Commissioner's Cup, which will begin on Nov. 27.

In a statement on Friday night, the league handed the stiff penalty on Amores in the latest chapter to his debacle following some gunshots intended at Lee Cacalda after a heated pick-up basketball game in Lumban, Laguna.

"In coordination with the management of NorthPort, the commissioner (Willie Marcial) has decided that John Amores will be suspended for all his games in the next conference of the PBA's 49th season without pay for conduct detrimental to the league," the PBA said, clarifying that Amores would only not get any salary during the games where he is suspended.

With the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions joining the mid-season conference as the guest team, the Batang Pier will play a minimum of 12 games. 

The league also said that Amores "must without delay submit to counseling to address his anger and violent tendencies" before he can be cleared to return to action for the Philippine Cup scheduled to begin right after the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

While he is suspended for the duration of the mid-season conference, the PBA will still allow the six-foot-two off guard to join the Batang Pier's practices on the condition that heftier punishments await him if he does something bad during training.

"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. It is under normal settings, including the challenges and stress they create, where he can fully exercise tolerance and restraint," the league explained.

Amores is currently out on bail while his attempted homicide case is ongoing.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno