Amores punches PBA ticket, gets picked by NorthPort

MANILA, Philippines -- Controversial guard John Amores has been drafted in the PBA.

Amores, who ran amok last year during a game in the NCAA, was drafted by the NorthPort Batang Pier in the fifth round of the 2023 PBA Draft.

“I am really happy, because after what happened, this is like a new start,” Amores told reporters in Filipino.

“I can show them that I can change, and I can show people that I will do what I have to do for a better career,” he added.

Amores admitted that he was surprised when he was drafted especially since he was feeling jitters even before going to the PBA draft at the Market! Market! in Taguig City.

“I will do my best, whatever I need to do to help the team, I will do it,” he said.

“Whatever the team needs, special defense, I will provide that. I will help the team,” he added.

He earlier played for the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, where he averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in his last year.

He punched a number of players of the College of St. Benilde Blazers in a game in November last year.

Amores was suspended from the NCAA and was subsequently expelled from the JRU basketball program.

He then played for Muntinlupa in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.