John Amores in action for Titan Ultra in the PBA Season 50 Governors Cup. PBA Media
MANILA – John Amores returned to playing professional basketball earlier this month, after the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) reinstated his license.
Amores has played two games so far with the Titan Ultra Giant Risers in the PBA 50 Governors' Cup, seeing limited minutes as he tries to regain his old form.
He officially made his comeback against the Terrafirma Dyip last July 10, producing five points and two rebounds in over nine minutes of play.
GAB revoked his license last December 2024 for his involvement in a shooting incident in Lumban, Laguna in September of the same year. The board found Amores "guilty of conduct unbecoming of a professional basketball player." The PBA had also suspended him for one conference due to the incident.
READ: GAB revokes John Amores' license
Amores and his brother faced attempted homicide charges but were released on bail.
According to a document sent to ABS-CBN News by GAB, the 27-year-old filed a motion for reconsideration on July 8, 2025 "citing the apparent lack of sufficient evidence" to support the findings of his administrative liability.
"He likewise cited the dismissal of the criminal case against him, and provided copies of the Affidavit of Desistance executed by the private complainant on 25 March 2025 and the Order dated 26 March 2025 issued by the MCTC of Lumban-Kalayaan dismissing the case," GAB explained in the letter.
"The Board, however, in a Resolution dated 27 November 2025, denied the Motion for Reconsideration for having been filed out of time," it said.
Last January 26, Amores filed a petition before the GAB for administrative clemency seeking the reinstatement of his professional license.
"In his Petition, Mr. Amores expressed his deep remorse and manifested that he had already reformed himself. As proof thereof, he submitted documentation of his participation in reformation programs, community service, and other social work from October 2025 to January 2026," GAB explained.
"He [Amores] likewise presented letters of recommendation from local government officials of Laguna attesting to his sincerity in demonstrating good moral character and earnest efforts to reform. Finally, he reiterated the dismissal of his criminal case and furnished proof thereof, along with a clearance issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on 11 November 2025 showing that he has no derogatory record," it said.
The board ordered Amores to submit a psychiatric clearance deeming him fit to resume his professional basketball career, along with a recommended plan of management to ensure his successful and permanent integration.
In a resolution dated April 23, the board granted and directed the reinstatement of Amores' license with the condition that he comply with five directives:
1. Undergo a seminar on GAB's Code of Ethics and Conduct for Professional Athletes;
2. Comply with the requirements for the issuance of a GAB professional license;
3. Comply with the plan of management recommended in his psychiatric clearance dated 17 March 2026;
4 . Undergo a formal psychiatric evaluation every six (6) months, starting in September 2026; and
5. Report to the Board every six (6) months, starting in September 2026, his compliance with these conditions
In the document, the board explained why it granted the petition of Amores to reinstate his license.
"The Board recognized that genuine rehabilitation and reformation, when sufficiently established through competent evidence and accompanied by appropriate safeguards, are consistent with the principles of fairness, accountability, and due process," it said.
"The Board gave due consideration to the assessment of the examining psychiatrist who noted that while Mr. Amores has a history of "difficulties with impulse control and aggressive behavioral outbursts", he has demonstrated "a high level of treatment adherence to structured sport psychology support," and concluded that he is "psychiatrically fit to resume professional basketball playing," the board shared.
Similar to what he mentioned in his July 10 interview, GAB said Amores attended a seminar on the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Professional Athletes last May 11.
After submitting all necessary documents and completing the requirements, the board renewed Amores' license on July 7 at the GAB Central Office.
READ: John Amores vows to work hard in PBA return
GAB emphasized it has a strict set of requirements imposed for the issuance of professional licenses to individuals, among the crucial ones is good moral character.
The board highlighted that these are not just prerequisites for a license, but are continuing requirements during the athlete's career.
"As such, the Board may suspend or revoke a professional license for an athlete's failure to uphold a good moral standing, for violation of laws, rules, and regulations relevant to their sport, for the commission of any dishonest or fraudulent practice, or for any just cause," GAB said.
"Conversely, should it be sufficiently shown that an athlete has resolved the issue or deficiency that initially caused the revocation of his license, or has otherwise taken steps to demonstrate his rehabilitation, then the Board may exercise its discretion to reinstate the license of such athlete," it explained.
GAB has reinstated licenses to athletes in the past, including PBA veteran Calvin Abueva, who was handed an indefinite ban in 2019 for several on-court incidents.
Abueva regained his license and returned to the PBA in 2020, after completing the requirements of attending a seminar on The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of a Professional Athlete and undergoing a mandatory drug test.
RELATED VIDEO: