Former PBA players Jayjay Helterbrand, Rico Maierhofer, and Jerwin Gaco got honest and candid with embattled athlete John Amores, sharing their advice and takes after the NorthPort Batang Pier figured in a shooting incident last September.
Amores is facing attempted homicide charges, along with his brother, for shooting a man he got into a heated altercation with in Lumban. This was over a street basketball game.
Amores is out on bail, but is suspended for at least 15 games in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
While he can still train with NorthPort, the player is required to undergo counseling before ever getting back to the court.
Helterbrand, Maierhofer, and Gaco--part of the PBA Motoclub group--called up Amores to give their advice on the matter.
It was made clear in the video posted Tuesday that the Batang Pier could not comment on the case because investigation is still ongoing.
"I'm just gonna be brutally honest sa 'yo. I hope huwag ka magalit sa 'kin," Helterbrand started off upon seeing Amores in the video call. "'Yung nakita ko 'yung 15-game suspension, parang sa akin lang ah, you got off lightly. Para sa akin, parang unfair 'yung ginawa kay Calvin [Abueva]. And let's admit, 'yung ginawa mo mas serious sa ginawa ni Calvin. Tama o hinde?"
"Tama naman po," Amores replied.
"Akala ko maba-ban ka, kasi gano'n ka-serious 'yung mga nagawa mo," Helterbrand said, adding how he hoped the counseling recommended by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial would help with Amores' anger management issues.
[ALSO READ: John Amores misses shot at redemption: A timeline]
In 2019, the PBA had indefinitely suspended Calvin Abueva for a clothesline hit against TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones as well as showing obscene gestures towards the girlfriend of then-Blackwater Elite player Ray Parks Jr.
That lasted for 16 months, as then-Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters coach Topex Robinson helped Abueva change his mindset and convince the league he was going to do better. Being the PBA bubble in 2020 helped.
But he wasn't the only PBA player who was suspended after figuring in a physical altercation.
In the 2023 offseason, JR Quiñahan got involved in a brawl during an exhibition game in Cebu along with other PBA players. He was fined for playing in an unsanctioned game and was eventually let go by the NLEX Road Warriors.
The PBA Motoclub also raised the issue of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, who was suspended for the season after bringing firearms to the arena.
And in 2023, Ja Morant was also indefinitely suspended for waving a gun during an Instagram Live. He was also mandated to undergo counseling.
"Hopefully maayos lahat and everything works out for the best. Just try to keep your cool," Helterbrand added as Amores acknowledged it was not the first time he was mired in a physical controversy.
"Swerte na may chance ka pa. So sana maayos mo 'yung the way you handle yourself on and off the court."
Back when Amores was part of the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers in the NCAA, he figured in at least two incidents.
During a Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) match in 2022, Amores reportedly punched University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon player Mark Belmonte.
He sustained gum fractures, teeth dislocation, and mouth lacerations. The Fighting Maroon had to undergo medical surgery, according to News5.
A few months later, Amores went on a punching spree during the JRU's NCAA game against the College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers.
One fan was reportedly heckling the players, which prompted Amores to react and charge. Other athletes tried to stop him, which led to the punching spree.
CSB players Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis filed a complaint of serious physical injury, according to News5.
When Rico Maierhofer brought up the game in Lumban that was the root of the latest altercation, he mentioned the P4,000 bet that was reported in the news.
"Hindi po alam [na] may pustahan po," Amores told Maierhofer. "Papawis lang."
It was then that Maierhofer raised the criticism Amores received on social media, including the comments of how he was "wasting his chances".
"Haharapin mo 'yung mga bashing, 'yung mga social media, mga negative comments, haharapin mo 'yan. Consequences 'yan. Ang gusto namin sa 'yo, bumalik ka stronger and better as a person, a godly person, okay?" He added.
"Opo kuya, thank you po," Amores replied.
Meanwhile, Jerwin Gaco reminded Amores of why they were all playing as a profession.
"Sayang 'yung career mo, bata ka pa bro, marami pang mangyayari. Think the positive way na lang, may mga anak ka. Siyempre, kaya naman tayo nagta-trabaho, kaya tayo nagsusumikap sa PBA especially dahil sa pamilya natin," he said. "'Yun ang iniisip natin, para sa future ng mga anak natin."
"Kaya kung anong maging sanction sa 'yo ng PBA at ng case mo, think positive way lang. Kasi matatapos 'yan, maayos 'yan, makakabalik ka."
Sentiment on social media though was against the decision of the PBA to only suspend Amores and require counseling.
"Ang bait nung PBA sa kanya para bigyan lang siya ng 15-game suspension," Maiherhofer remarked.
Marcial explained their reasoning in a press conference in the previous week.
"Parang anak natin 'tong mga players. Kapag may anak tayo, pinaparusahan natin, pero 'di natin pinapabayaan," Marcial said.
PBA legal counsel Ogie Narvasa emphasized that having a normal environment will be important, and that's why they chose counseling and retain training with the NorthPort Batang Pier.
"Isolating him from his normal environment will not be helpful and healthy for his rehabilitation. He must learn to deal with his issues under as normal circumstances as possible," he noted.
[ALSO READ: PBA slaps John Amores with one conference suspension without pay over shooting incident]
"Sana ayusin nila buhay nila. We're giving them the opportunities to better themselves," Narvasa added. "Hopefully, he focuses on making himself a better player."
Watch the video here.