Jose Rizal University guard John Amores has been slapped with an indefinite suspension after running wild during their National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 98 game against College of Saint Benilde last Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The NCAA management committee said Amores will have to serve an indefinite suspension after committing several infractions that sparked the brawl that hurt several Saint Benilde players.
Aside from punching Mark Sangco, Jimboy Pasturan, Traine Davis and Migs Oczon, the 23-year-old Amores also disrespected game officials and JRU mancomm member Paul Supan and made provocative gestures by storming into the Saint Benilde bench.
Aside from Amores, the league also imposed a one-game suspension on Heavy Bombers Jason Tan, Joshua Guiab, Jason Celis, Marwin Dionisio, Jonathan Medina, Mark Abaoag, Karl de Jesus and CJ Gonzales for entering the court during the melee while William Sy and Jay Arenal were given three and two games suspensions, respectively, for their participation in one of the ugliest brawls in college basketball.
Saint Benilde stalwarts Sangco and Jat Flores will also be suspended for two games while Ladis Lepalam will have to sit out for one game.
NCAA mancomm member Fr. Victor Calvo of Letran College said Amores was not slapped with a lifetime ban to give him a chance to return and resume his very promising basketball career.
Calvo said the ban will also give Amores enough time to seek professional help and undergo anger management therapy, similar to what Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva, a former NCAA superstar, had two years ago before being reinstated in the Philippine Basketball Association.
"We could have written 'lifetime ban' but we want to open a small window for the boy to return. We would like to help him since he's our player in the NCAA as well," said Calvo after emerging from the meeting graced by Supan and Saint Benilde representative Dax Castellano.
"We are not here to condemn him."
A Daily Tribune source said the anger management session could salvage Amores' career.
In fact, Amores was fuming mad during the height of his punching spree.
The source said he was cursing at the referee before spotting a fan flashing a dirty finger at him from behind the Blazers' bench.
As Amores was about to attack the fan, Sangco punched him, sparking an all-out brawl.
"That young man was very angry. He has a big problem. He seriously needs professional help," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity in deference to the authority of the mancomm headed by Estefanio Boquiron Jr. of host Emilio Aguinaldo College.
Saint Benilde coach Charles Tiu said they are waiting for an apology from Amores.
"An apology would have been nice. It is probably the right thing to do," said Tiu, whose wards were up by 20 points, 71-51, when Amores had a meltdown.
"Anyway, time to move on. It's back to basketball for us. Hopefully, this recent incident will not shake our team, but will keep us stronger together."
JRU, however, apologized for the action of the 6-foot-2 Amores and said that it will come up with its own investigation.
"A separate internal inquiry of the matter will be conducted consistent with the university rules and regulations," said Supan, adding that Amores will no longer be allowed to attend practices and team activities.
"The decision of the university is separate from any decision the NCAA management committee might have. JRU understands the NCAA will have its own internal investigation and promises to fully cooperate."
"We apologize to the whole basketball community particularly to our NCAA family for this incident."
