By REYNALD MAGALLON
The PBA has suspended embattled NorthPort guard John Amores for one conference and without pay for his violation to the league Uniform Players Contract after he got involved in a shooting incident in Laguna.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and legal counsel Atty. Ogie Narvasa made the announcement on Friday, Oct. 11 after the league came up with the decision following the meeting with NorthPort officials and getting Amores’ written explanation of the incident.
Amores’ suspension will be effective even if Amores and his brother get dismissed on the attempted homicide case against them.
“The dismissal, if ever, of the criminal case against John Amores will not prevent the PBA from penalizing him under PBA rules and standards,” the PBA said in a two-page decision which also cited all of Amores’ violations to the UPC.
According to the UPC, PBA players shall at all times conduct himself in accordance with the standards of good citizenship, good moral character and good sportsmanship and not not do anything which is detrimental to the best interest of the CLUB and of the PBA.
The PBA said Amores involvement in the incident was clearly not consistent with the standard of behavior and image that the PBA wishes to project to its fans, particularly to its young followers.
“The potential for young people to see Amores conduct as acceptable is disturbing, and this the PBA will not permit. Consistent herewith, both the PBA and the management of Northport are strongly against any kind of violence on and off the court. They also advocate responsible ownership and safe handling of guns,” the league added in the statement.
Although suspended, Amores can still join the team practices and participate in team activities
He can possibly be allowed to play again in the PBA but he must without delay submit to counseling to address his anger and violent tendencies and a proper clearance shall be given to him.
Atty. Narvasa also clarified that the decisions were made by solely looking at his violation of the UPC and not on his criminal case which the league is already leaving to the verdict of the court.
“We’re not penalizing him for his criminal act, bahala ang husgado doon ito ay violation ng PBA rules,” Narvasa clarified.
On giving Amores the chance to return to the PBA even after the incident, Marcial and Narvasa said it’s the league’s way of trying to help Amores to change.
“Parang anak natin itong mga players. Pag may anak tayo pinaparusahan natin pero di natin pinapabayaan yun yung (iniisip) ng PBA,” said Marcial.
“These our players alaga natin ito so di natin pwedeng pabayaan. Ang inaasahan lang natin sana ayusin nila ang buhay nila because we are giving them all the opportunities to better themselves be better player be better citizens,” echoed Narvasa.
As for the Games and Amusement Board, Marcial said that the agency is conducting its own investigation of the incident and will arrive with its own decision
