It's make or break for PBA returnee Amores

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – “Pinaka-last chance na sa PBA.” 

John Amores on Friday ensured to the most out of his “final” chance in the PBA, as he returned to action in the Titan Ultra Giant Risers’ clash with the Terrafirma Dyip Friday evening. 

The controversial shooting guard saw action in the third quarter of the game, where he played nine minutes and 24 seconds. He finished with five points on 2-of-5 shooting, to go with two rebounds, in Titan’s 100-113 loss to Terrafirma. 

“Magta-trabaho lang ako. Kung ano yung pinagawa ng mga coaches, pagtatrabahuan ko lang. Siyempre, mas kailangan natin mag-ingat, kasi... nakatutok lahat sa akin, ganyan,” he told reporters.

“Kagaya ngayon kinausap ako ni Comm [Willie Marcial] na bawal sa akin makisali ako sa mga gulo kasi ito na yung pinaka-last chance ko na talaga sa PBA,” he added. 

Back in 2024, Amores, then a player for the NorthPort Batang Pier, was involved in a shooting incident after a local basketball game in Laguna. 

He and his brother were later slapped with attempted homicide charges.

Amores’ Games and Amusement Board license was revoked, and he was suspended indefinitely by the PBA. 

And less than two years later, he is back in the league with another shot. 

Amores said that there were a lot of requirements asked from him, which included visits to psychiatrists, sports psychologists, GAB seminars, outreaches and ethics requirements. 

“Talagang trinabaho ko siya ng dalawang taon. Hindi naman basta-basta binigay sa akin ng GAB at ng PBA yung second chance, pinagtrabahuan ko talaga siya. Pinaghirapan ko talaga,” he said. 

He added that his time away from the PBA led him closer to the Lord, especially during the times he felt that his return to the league looked bleak. 

“Yun nga, sobrang lesson sa akin to kasi talagang… akala ko wala na ako e. Nawalan na ako ng pag-asa na makakabalik ako sa PBA, ng pag-asa na makuha ko pa yung GAB license. Kumapit lang ako kay Lord. Mas lumakas yung pananampalataya ko sa Kaniya… Humingi ako ng guidance at ng signs,” he said. 

Aside from the shooting incident in 2024, Amores also had a violent episode back in college when the then-Jose Rizal University Heavy Bomber had a punching spree in a game. 

It ultimately cut his collegiate career short. But his basketball career did not stop there, as he was drafted 51st overall in the 2023 PBA Draft. 

Amores and the rest of the Giant Risers will try to bounce back against the Converge FiberXers on Sunday, 7:30 p.m., at the Ynares Center in Montalban.