PBA: John Amores risks losing GAB license amid attempted homicide raps

John Amores is now facing a de facto ban from playing in any professional league. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

CAPAS--The Games and Amusements Board might drop the hammer on embattled NorthPort guard John Amores due to his ongoing lawsuit.

GAB chairman Francisco Rivera said on Monday that they are ready to cancel Amores' registration as a professional athlete if the PBA expels him from the league following the attempted homicide case filed against him by Lee Cacalda.

"We got in touch with the Philippine Basketball Association, specifically Commissioner Willie Marcial, and based on our discussion, we maintain the procedure that it would be the Philippine Basketball Association that would first investigate this matter, and the investigation would involve potentially his expulsion from the league. And once that's done, the Games and Amusements Board would, as a result, cancel his registration with us," Rivera told Senator Bong Go during the Senate Committee on Finance hearing regarding the 2025 budget proposal of both GAB and Philippine Sports Commission.

The PBA is expected to hand its decision on Amores this week after Marcial met with the six-foot-two shooting guard, who is currently out on bail, this past weekend.

Amores quickly turned pro in 2022 after the NCAA handed him an indefinite ban when the former Jose Rizal University star threw punches at some College of St. Benilde players out of frustration during their game.

Rivera said that during the time of Richard Clarin as GAB chairman, Amores, who first signed with the Zamboanga Valientes in the now-defunct ABL, was given a pro-athlete license on the condition that he had to undergo anger management therapy.

"On the basis of his past conduct, it appeared to the Games and Amusement Board that that was still manageable, and again, in the interest of giving him the opportunity to play for the professional leagues and on the strength of his undertaking, we gave him a license," Rivera said, although he admitted that they did not get a follow-up on Amores' therapy session since then.

However, after news broke out that Amores fired gunshots at Cacalda in the aftermath of a heated pick-up basketball game in Lumban, Laguna two weeks ago, Rivera said that GAB might not anymore give Amores a second chance.

"At present, considering the gravity of the offense that he committed at this time, the same argument probably will no longer work for him," Rivera added.

Go said that he might consider launching a Senate probe on Amores' situation, but the senator is still entrusting GAB with resolving the matter.

A pro-athlete license from GAB is required for a Filipino player to see action in various pro sports events.

If Amores' license is revoked, the 25-year-old wingman can no longer play in all professional leagues with Filipino teams playing including the PBA, MPBL, PSL, and even the EASL and TAT.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno