Suspendido na walang sahod ang ipinataw na parusa ng Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) laban kay John Amores dahil sa pagkakasangkot niya sa shooting incident sa Lumban, Laguna noong nakaraang Setyembre. May itinakda ring kondisyon para payagan siyang makapaglaro muli sa liga.
Inanunsiyo ito nina Atty. Ogie Narvasa, legal counsel ng PBA, at commissioner Willie Marcial nitong Biyernes.
"In coordination with the management of NorthPort, the Commissioner has decided that John Amores will be suspended for all his games in the next conference of the PBA's 49th season, without pay, for conduct detrimental to the league," saad ni Narvasa mula sa desisyon.
"Furthermore, in order for Amores to be allowed to play again in the PBA, he must, without delay, submit to counseling to address his anger and violent tendencies. Clearance to play must be obtained from his counselors. Choice of the counseling program of Amores should be with the approval of the PBA and the program must continue until cleared and terminated by the counselors," dagdag nito.
Binigyang-diin ni Narvasa ang kahalagahan na dapat siyang makakuha ng clearance mula sa kaniyang counselors bago siya payagan na makapaglaro muli.
"He has to be cleared by his counselors. Remember, even after he is cleared to play by his counselors but his program requires that he finishes even beyond the clearance, he has to finish the counseling program," sabi ni Narvasa.
Gayunman, papayagan si Amores na dumalo sa practice ng team habang suspendido siya.
"Isolating him from his normal environment will not be helpful and healthy for his rehabilitation. He must learn to deal with his issues under as normal circumstances as possible. It is under normal settings, including the challenges and stress they create, where he can fully exercise tolerance and restraint. In any case, he will be subjected to stiffer penalties and restrictions should his violent tendencies erupt during team activities," sabi pa ni Narvasa na nakasaad sa desisyon.
Matatanggap din ni Amores ang iba pa niyang sahod at benepisyo maliban sa sahod niya na nakatakda sa mga laro na suspendido siya.
Sinabi ni Marcial na nakipag-ugnayan din ang liga sa Games and Amusements Board (GAB) kaugnay sa ginawang desisyon.
"Kausap ko kahapon si Chairman (Francisco Rivera), pinakita ko 'yung desisyon, pumunta ako sa office niya. Sabi niya okay naman 'to. Mayroon silang sarili, iimbestigahan din nila ng kanilang legal at sina chairman kung anong gagawin nila. Hindi pa natin alam kung anong gagawin ng GAB, pero may coordination na kami, pinadala na namin ang letter kay chairman, tingnan natin kung anong desisyon ng GAB," ani Marcial.
Una rito, inihayag ng GAB na posibleng hindi na payagan si Amores na makapaglaro sa professional leagues.
"Parang anak natin 'tong players. 'Pag may anak tayo, pinaparusahan natin pero hindi natin pinapabayaan. 'Yun 'yung inaano ng PBA," ayon sa commissioner.
Ipinaliwanag ni Narvasa na ang kanilang desisyon ay base sa mga patakaran ng PBA na nilabag ni Amores, at hindi direktang may kaugnayan sa kinasangkutan niyang kaso.
"Bahala ang husgado doon, ito, violation of PBA rules," saad niya.
Kasama ni Amores ang kaniyang kapatid na kinasuhan ng attempted homicide dahil sa nangyaring insidente. Nakalaya sila matapos maglagak ng piyansa.—FRJ, GMA Integrated News
