PBA to comply with GAB ruling on John Amores ban as appeal looms

The PBA will impose the stiff sanction GAB slapped on John Amores, but the NorthPort guard is appealing the ban. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PBA is taking note of the ban the Games and Amusements Board imposed on NorthPort guard John Amores after revoking his professional athlete license.

Commissioner Willie Marcial said on Monday night that they had already received a copy of the GAB resolution stripping the embattled shooting guard of his professional license.

"We will comply kasi government yun. Under naman tayo ng supervision ng GAB," Marcial said.

With his license revoked, Amores cannot play in any professional league, which also includes the ongoing PSL season, the MPBL, and the NBL.

However, Marcial said that, following a conversation with him, Amores is looking at the possibility of appealing his GAB ban.

In an interview with News5's Ian Suyu, GAB chairman Francisco Rivera said that there is a chance that they can overturn their initial ruling on Amores.

However, it can only happen if Amores successfully appeals his case to the Office of the President or if he is acquitted of his attempted homicide case.

Amores and brother Red, both natives of Pagsanjan, Laguna, were slapped with the said charge after firing gunshots at Lee Cacalda after a heated pick-up game on Sept. 25 in the nearby town of Lumban.

The Amores Brothers surrendered to the Lumban police at around 1 a.m. on Sept. 26 due to claims of threats from Cacalda's camp, sparking a busy day for both the local cops and the hoopers.

Both John and Red posted bail to be freed from jail, but on Oct. 11, the PBA slapped a one-conference suspension on the older Amores due to the lawsuit.

Amores was last seen playing in an exhibition game in Duero, Bohol during the middle of December, in which he was reportedly cleared by the Batang Pier to do so.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno