John Amores has more often than not been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. 

Every basketball player has gotten involved in a scuffle at least once in their lives, but Amores has the dishonor of being involved in three major physical altercations.   

During his college days with the NCAA’s JRU  Heavy Bombers, Amores fought with players from the UP Fighting Maroons and the CSB Blazers, with Amores’ rampage on the latter leading to his expulsion from the Heavy Bombers.  

[TRIGGER WARNING: Violence] 

However, the latest incident was much worse as it involved a financial dispute and a charge of attempted homicide after a pickup basketball game. Amores will definitely have to answer to the NorthPort Batang Pier for playing in a pickup game where he could have gotten injured, but that’s a story for another time. Trying to shoot someone, though, is much graver. 

[TRIGGER WARNING: Violence] 

Guns have no place in the basketball court. Just ask Ja Morant, who saw his career take a hit after a string of incidents involving guns and physical altercations. In hindsight, Morant’s antics now look tame compared to the inexcusable actions of Amores. 

All things considered, Amores is done. There’s no place for him on the court especially when he does more harm than good on it. Him learning from his sports psychology and anger management sessions seems like one big fat lie because instead of taking any steps forward, he’s pretty much back to zero. 

Amores has had too many second chances afforded to him through stints with the Zamboanga Valientes for the 2023 ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League’s Muntinlupa Cagers, and the Batang Pier, who selected him 51st overall in the 2024 PBA Draft. 

Even Vice-President Sara Duterte, who was known for throwing a punch at a regional trial court sheriff back in 2011, tried to sway the public opinion for Amores in a positive light. By now, though, it’s safe to say she’s not the best judge of character. 

Knowing the PBA, it may be unlikely that we see any hard punishment handed down to someone who is one of their own. History has shown us that they give second chances out more than independent teams win conference championships. 

Pido Jarencio, during stint as NorthPort’s head coach, got into a verbal spat with the NLEX Road Warriors’ Thomas Robinson, with Jarencio going as far as threatening to shoot Robinson. 

Jarencio seemed to have gotten a slap on the wrist with a ₱20,000 fine and a “stern warning”, whatever that is. Meanwhile, Robinson was removed from the team because he took an “unplanned vacation” and missed practices.

Even Renaldo Balkman, who is known worldwide for choking Arwind Santos, was given a vague ban but returned to the Philippines with his stint with San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ABL. 

Allegations of PBA players committing domestic violence have also gone unpunished but nothing has come to light as of late. 

But then, Amores’ history of violence could see him receive a heavier punishment. Calvin Abueva, who has had his fair share of scuffles, has never been this violent but has been punished based on his past transgressions. 

However, the PBA has softened their stance before despite this. Former NBA Player Ivan Johnson was fined and supposedly banned for life after cursing out then-PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa, but after apologizing and meeting with Narvasa personally, the fine was lowered and the ban was rescinded to a suspension for the season. There were those that felt Narvasa was too rash, but Johnson had already been fined and suspended for a brawl with players from the Blackwater Bossing during a tuneup game. 

So there’s a chance the league will try to be tough with its stance, but in a country where we perpetually forgive politicians who steal from the people, it may be best not to keep our hopes up. 

As of this writing, the PBA has not made any further comments other than being “saddened” as they wait for the conclusion of the investigation, but suspending John Amores indefinitely would be a good start. People can talk about how he’ll have no job and may have a tough time providing for his family, but let’s not forget that when given the chance, Amores had no qualms with ending the life of an opponent.