After earning basketball fans’ and the internet’s collective ire for going on a rampage and punching four De La Salle – College of St. Benilde players, Jose Rizal University’s (JRU) John Amores of the JRU Heavy Bombers has been “suspended indefinitely” by his school and will sit out the remainder of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament.
The school’s move comes after the NCAA already slapped Amores with an indefinite ban.
Amores’ brawl was broadcast on television as the JRU third-year forward lunged at the St. Benilde Blazers’ bench on the opposite side of the court with three minutes and 44 seconds left in their game. He hit four St. Benilde players, two of whom were knocked to the ground.
Punches being thrown on the court in this JRU-Benilde match #NCAASeason98 pic.twitter.com/foJGLykX2d
— GMA Sports (@gmasportsph) November 8, 2022
Amores reportedly lost his cool after getting into an earlier altercation with St. Benilde’s Mark Sangco, which referees managed to break up. According to SPIN.ph, expletives were hurled at Amores, which led him to go berserk.
Two affected St. Benilde players, Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis, have already filed criminal complaints against Amores.
Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis filed a complaint against JRU’s John Amores, citing physical injuries in the violation.
— GMA Sports (@gmasportsph) November 11, 2022
(Photo: GMA Synergy) pic.twitter.com/TsJOi500rK
”Jose Rizal University, as one of the oldest members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, has always supported the objectives of the association to promote sportsmanship, camaraderie, and good values among students of the member schools. In line with this mission, the university does not condone violence in any form,” JRU’s statement read.
The university said that they would also carry out an internal investigation into the matter.
“A separate internal inquiry of the matter will be conducted consistent with the university rules and regulations. This decision of the university is separate from any decision that the NCAA management committee might have. JRU understands the NCAA will have its own internal investigation and promises to cooperate fully,” it said.
The university apologized to the basketball community and the NCAA for the incident.
“We apologize to the whole basketball community, particularly to our NCAA family for this incident. Violence has no part in the sport of basketball, and as a member of the NCAA, we shall continue to uphold the highest ideals of collegiate athletic competitions.”
Amores’ violent rampage this week is not an isolated incident. In July, he mauled 18-year-old rookie Mark Belmonte of the University of the Philippines during an off-season game, resulting in the latter requiring gum and mouth surgery at the Philippine General Hospital.
Renan Dalisay, founder of the alumni organization Nowhere to Go But UP, said that they were forced to press criminal charges against Amores after JRU swept the incident under the rug and did not pay for Belmonte’s medical expenses.
