PBA still awaiting GAB ruling on John Amores ban

The PBA is ready to impose the GAB ban on John Amores once they receive the copy of the ruling that revoked his pro license. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--The PBA has yet to receive a copy of the Games and Amusements Board's decision revoking John Amores' professional athlete license.

According to commissioner Willie Marcial, the league is still awaiting a formal word from GAB regarding the ruling, which effectively bans the NorthPort guard from playing in any professional basketball league from hereon due to his attempted homicide case.

What seemed like the last part of the GAB ruling with the signatories of the agency's top officials, chairman Francisco Rivera and commissioners Manuel Plaza and Angel Bautista, was leaked to some publications, including Dugout Philippines, on Saturday, and GAB itself confirmed that they indeed revoked Amores' license.

Batang Pier head coach Bonnie Tan also said that they have not received any notification from GAB as well.

Dugout Philippines has also requested a copy of the full resolution.

Amores, who fired three gunshots at Lee Cacalda in the aftermath of a heated confrontation following a pick-up game in Lumban, Laguna on Sept. 25, was found "guilty of conduct unbecoming of a professional basketball player," which led to the revocation of the embattled shooting guard's pro license.

Once they get formally notified, the PBA can officially declare what is left of Amores' rookie contract with NorthPort void.

Amores is also not anymore allowed to compete in other pro leagues like the MPBL, where he played for the Muntinlupa Cagers for most of the 2023 season before the Batang Pier selected him in that year's draft, and the ongoing PSL.

The soon-to-be-imposed ban on Amores is the latest setback to his already infamous player profile.

Amores, then playing college ball for Jose Rizal University, first became well known for the wrong reasons when he punched University of the Philippines player Mark Belmonte during a preseason tournament in 2022.

Later that year, Amores ran toward the College of St. Benilde bench and hit some players there during a heated moment in their NCAA game, which led to the league imposing an indefinite suspension on him.

The year 2023 seemed to be the start of Amores' redemption as he had no major violent incident in his first full year in the pro ranks.

However, with his actions last September, Amores' career is now completely jeopardized.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno