PBA 'saddened' by John Amores' attempted murder case; victim's mother won't agree to settlement
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) said they're "saddened" by the incident involving their player John Amores, who's facing an attempted murder case with his brother. The victim's mother, meanwhile, said she'd pursue the case no matter what and wouldn't agree to a settlement.
“This is a matter subject to investigation by the police, and we cannot comment on it. But we are saddened by such an unfortunate incident,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial told reporters before the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals on Sept. 26.
Reporters tried to press Marcial but he politely refused to give more statements.
Amores' team, NorthPort Batang Pier, has yet to issue a statement but is aware of the matter.
Reacting to Marcial, Lumban police chief Bob Ordiz told the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) that they'd base their final resolution on the evidence, including the closed-circuit television footage and the statements of the victim and witnesses.
Victim's mother to pursue case
Shirley Cacalda, the mother of the victim identified as Lee Cacalda, told ABS-CBN News that her son is a seaman who just arrived and is about to stay for five more days. "Tapos didisgrasyahin lang niya," a crying Shirley said.
Shirley pointed out that she's been a widow for 20 years and raised her kids alone.
Asked if she would pursue the case, Shirley gave a resounding yes.
"Bibigyan ko ng kadalaan 'yan dahil hambog 'yan, mayabang 'yan," she said of Amores. "Hindi ako papayag na ganyan gagawin niya."
Shirley said she has no plans to talk with Amores' camp.
"Ipinagpapasalamat ko lang sa Diyos talaga na walang nangyari sa anak ko," she said. "Nagpapasalamat ako... na walang tama, walang nangyari. Pero noong makita ko 'yung CCTV, harap-harapan niyang binaril ang anak ko."
Amores was playing basketball with Lee in Barangay Salac when they had a heated argument over a reported foul call. According to PNA, there was reportedly a P4,000 bet on the line.
Ordiz said Amores and Cacalda challenged each other to a fistfight before each of them left until they saw each other again in Barangay Maytalang I, where tensions escalated anew.
Amores then brought out his gun and fired at Cacalda before running away. The bullet didn't hit the victim.
Police tried chasing Amores and his brother before they surrendered at 1 a.m. He allegedly threw away the gun he had fired.
If found guilty, the Amores brothers could be imprisoned for six to 12 years. Ordiz said their bail bond would likely be somewhere between P24,000 and P200,000.
Amores, who played for Jose Rizal University during his college days, was banned from the National Collegiate Athletics Association in 2022 after punching four players from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde during a game. Two players filed a complaint against Amores before the San Juan City Prosecutor's Office.
Nevertheless, NorthPort picked Amores during the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.