Amores reveals factors for rampage, visits Benilde to apologize
Embattled former Jose Rizal University (JRU) player John Amores has broken his silence after his violent rampage against the De La Salle College of St. Benilde Blazers.
The 23-year-old talked about the incident for the first time since the Nov. 8 game in an interview with Quinito Henson and Dyan Castillejo. He said he lost his cool due to issues he was facing at home and pressure.
"Dala nalang ng problema ng mga nakaraan. May dinadala ding problema, pressure. Halu-halo na po emotional hanggang sa... 'di ko rin po inaasaahan na mangyayari siya," Amores told Playitright TV.
The ex-Heavy Bombers student added that he misses his 1-year and 7-month-old baby, who he only sees in video chats.
"Ang pinaka [dinadala] ko po kasi yung problema ko sa family ko. Yung sa baby ko na 'di ko nakakasama. Nung sinilang siya, ako din kasama niya. Ako din yung nag-alaga. 'Di ako sanay na 'di siya kasama," the basketball player said.
On Nov. 15, Amores was removed from the JRU men's basketball team after he was suspended from the NCAA. Aside from getting stripped from student-athlete privileges, he was penalized with community service, suspended from his classes, and was provided counseling.
During the interview, the deposed player issued an apology, adding that he had also visited the Benilde campus on Nov. 19 to personally apologize to the Blazers coaching staff and players.
PBA Terrafirma player Lester Prosper also offered Amores words of advice: "I want you to make sure that before you put yourself in another position like this—hopefully, you don’t—think about your family. Think about your kid, your wife."
"At the end of the day, I understand that it’s sports. We all end up having frustrations especially when we’re losing games but you just have to have emotional control. Just make sure you be more cognitive of what’s going on around you. Be more focused," he added.
Amores, who is taking up a BSBA in management at JRU, said that his next steps are to finish counseling, community service, and face the criminal cases against him "para makapagsimula po ako ng maayos."
To netizens, he also asked forgiveness for his behavior and asked them not to comment anything about his family. "'Wag nalang idamay anak ko, family ko. Sana ako nalang. 'Wag family ko."