FILE–Former JRU player John Amores. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Months after the punching incident in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament, John Amores wrote a public apology to St. Benilde players Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis—who both took the brunt of the former Jose Rizal player’s outburst.
Exactly five months after Amores’s outrage in the fourth quarter of the Blazers-Heavy Bombers matchup, the forward posted an apology letter addressed to Pasturan and Davis and their families.
Amores has already extended his apologies in person to the Charles Tiu-coached Blazers by going to the latter’s training during the NCAA season last year.
“Other than personally coming to you, I would like to sincerely give my apologies and understanding for what I did. I’d like to apologize to you, who I hurt and your families,” Amores said in Filipino.
“In this way, I could make everyone see my humility and my sincere acceptance of my mistakes.”
While the players accepted the apology, Pasturan and Davis still both filed complaints of physical injuries against Amores after the incident just a few days after the incident.
Amores was kicked off the JRU team, and banned indefinitely by the NCAA but was able to get a new lease on his career by signing with teams in the MPBL.
“After everything that happened in that game last year, I want you to know that this has been a big lesson for me. That no matter what level of tiredness, pressure, or problem, there is no reason to hurt players, take on fans, and not follow NCAA rules,” Amores also said.
“This also reminded me of the reason why I loved this sport: not for fame, but to recognize and respect the strength of my fellow players. To the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde community, I am also pleading for [forgiveness].”