ANTIPOLO – John Amores officially made his return to the PBA in the opening game loss of the Titan Ultra Giant Risers against the Terrafirma Dyip on Friday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
The 27-year-old spent nearly two years away from basketball after his professional license was revoked due to his involvement in a shooting incident in Lumban, Laguna, in September 2024.
Amores and his brother faced attempted homicide charges but were released on bail.
He recorded five points and two rebounds in over nine minutes of play in his first game back in the PBA.
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"Siyempre excited kasi medyo matagal na akong nawala. Mga two years din, kaya medyo nangangapa pa. Pero ganunpaman, nagagawa pa rin yung trabaho kahit papaano," Amores told reporters.
"Kundisyon naman [ako] kahit papaano nakakasabay naman. Kasi yun yung una kong tinrabaho nung nalaman kong okay na yung GAB [license] ko mga three months na, nagpa-kundisyon na ako. Saka ko tinrabaho yung PBA," he shared.
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Amores said he did not feel any nerves when he stepped back on the court, not minding the noise from the fans watching in the venue.
"Sanay na rin naman ako sa haba ng, sa dami kong laro. Yun po yung kaba, wala naman na sa akin," he said.
"Sabi ni commissioner [Willie Marcial] kanina, kahit sinong kumausap sa'yo diyan huwag na huwag kang papatol. Kasi madami naman nakabantay sa akin tulad ng GAB. Kasi every six months mag-rereport ako sa GAB," Amores explained.
HOW AMORES RETURNED
Amores said the road to his comeback was a long journey, which did not come easy. "Maraming pinagawa sa akin. Psychiatrist, sports psychology, nagpunta ako ng medical hospital dun ako nagpa-psychiatrist at sports psychologist. Mga seminars sa GAB, mga outreach, mga ganun, mga ethics," he explained.
"Tinrabaho ko siya ng dalawang taon. Hindi lang siya basta-basta binigay ng GAB saka ng PBA. Pinagtrabahuhan ko talaga siya, pinaghirapan ko," Amores said.
One of the biggest challenges he faced was having to pay for his psychiatrists and sports psychologists.
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"Yun yung pinakamabigat talaga kasi sariling gastos ko yun eh. Kasi yung pinangsustento ko lang yung paglalaro ko, sa mga guesting, yung mga ligang labas, yung maliit namin na business," Amores said.
After a long break from the game, Amores said it was faith that helped him learn and move forward from the shooting incident.
"Sobrang blessing sa akin ito kasi talagang akala ko nadapa na ako, wala na ako. Talagang nawalan ako ng pagasa kung makakabalik ako sa PBA. Nawalan narin ako ng pagasa kung makukuha ko pa GAB license ko," he said.
"Kumapit lang ako kay Lord, mas lumakas pananampalataya ko sa kanya. Pumupunta ako sa church, humingi ako ng guidance sa kanya. Binigyan lang niya ako ng sign," Amores added.
ONE LAST SHOT
With another shot, possibly his last one in the PBA, Amores vows to not let the opportunity go to waste.
"Magtatrabaho lang ako. Kung ano yung pinagawa ng coaches, tatrabahuin ko lang. Siyempre mas kailangan mag-ingat kasi nakatutok lahat sa akin. Pipikunin [ako], ganyan, kung ano yung i-aano nila sa akin," he said.
"Kinausap ako ni commissioner [Willie Marcial], ito yung bawal. Bawal ako makisali sa ganyang gulo kasi ito na yung pinaka-last chance ko talaga sa PBA," Amores added.
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After getting his feet wet, Amores said he will just work on his game and focus on proving he deserves another shot in the PBA.
"Kung ano lang ipagawa sa akin ni coach, kung ipasok ako o hindi, magiging ready lang ako," he said.
Amores and Titan Ultra will next face the Converge FiberXers on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Montalban.