PBA: John Amores vows to make the most of 'last chance' in league return

John Amores is back in the PBA and is determined to make the most of what he calls his "last chance" in the league.

Amores returned to the PBA on Friday, nearly two years after being involved in a shooting incident in Laguna that led to the revocation of his professional license.

After being cleared by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to resume his professional career, Amores signed with Titan Ultra.

“Magtatrabaho lang ako. Kung ano ang pinagawa ng coaches, tatrabahuhin ko lang,” Amores said after the Giant Risers fell to Terrafirma, 113-100, in the opening game of the PBA Governors' Cup.

“Siyempre, mas kailangan natin mag-ingat kasi nakatutok lahat sa akin. Pipikunin, ganyan. Kagaya ngayon, kinausap ako ni Comm, na bawal ako makisali sa mga ganyang gulo kasi ito na ‘yung pinaka-last chance ko talaga na makapag-ano sa PBA.”

(I'll just put in the work. Whatever the coaches ask of me, I'll work for it... Of course, we need to be more careful because everyone has eyes on me. They'll try to get under my skin. Like now, Comm talked to me, I can't join in scuffles because this is my last chance to make it in the PBA.)

According to Amores, he underwent psychiatric and psychological sessions, attended seminars, and participated in outreach activities before he was cleared to play professionally again.

“Talagang tinrabaho ko siya ng dalawang taon. Hindi lang basta binigay. Pinagtrabahuhan ko talaga,” he said.

(I really worked on it the last two years. It wasn't just given, I had to work for it.)

Amores said he learned valuable lessons during his two-year absence from the league.

“Sobrang lesson sa akin ‘to kasi akala ko wala na ako. Nawalan na rin ako ng pag-asa kung makakabalik pa ko sa PBA, kung makukuha ko pa GAB license ko. Kumapit lang ako kay Lord. Mas lumakas pananampalataya ko sa kanya,” he said.

(This is a big lesson for me because I thought that was it for me. I had lost hope that I would make it back in the PBA, that I would get my GAB license. I just clung to the Lord, my faith in Him became stronger.)

He also revealed that, as part of GAB's monitoring program, he is required to submit reports on his activities every six months.

Amores had five points in nine minutes of action in the said game.

—JMB, GMA News