The National Collegiate Athletic Association called on the public not to incite violence following the controversial punching spree involving the basketball player of Jose Rizal University.
Last November 8, JRU Heavy Bombers player John Amores instigated a brawl during a game against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers.
“We, however, appeal for sobriety as the public continues to express sentiments on the incident, and retrain from encouraging more violence or issuing statements, videos, and call-outs that suggest the same,” NCAA said in a statement released on Wednesday, November 16.
Last week, Sen. Bong Go expressed his frustration over the violence of Amores. He also said during a plenary session that Amores should be beaten up following the incident.
“Bilang isang basketball player at mamamayang Pilipino, ito ang sagot ko: Dapat bugbugin din ‘yung John Amores na ‘yan. T*** **a na ‘yon,” the senator said.
“NCAA joins the public sentiment condemnation and outrage against violence and hooliganism in sports, and that we do not tolerate nor encourage violence in any form,” the collegiate athletic association added.
Following the incident, JRU removed Amores from the team and was suspended from his classes on Tuesday, November 15.
RELATED: Amores officially sacked from JRU Bombers, faces suspension in classes
Prior to this, JRU and National Collegiate Athletic Association imposed an indefinite suspension on Amores after he instigated a brawl in a game against De La Salle College of Saint Benilde last November 8.
RELATED: ‘Violence has no place’: JRU, NCAA suspend John Amores indefinitely after punching spree
The university also said he will no longer be part of any sports program at JRU.
Following this resolution, Amores will no longer have the privilege of being a student-athlete.
The 23-year-old was also suspended from his classes and has been required to do community service.
JRU said that they will provide “counseling and help to cope with the strain of what has taken place in his young life.”
Aside from the removal from the team, Amores is also facing two legal cases.
Last week, Blazers’ Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis, two of the four players Amores punched during the game, filed a case against the former JRU player.
NCAA said they “respect the decision of some of the parents of the players who have taken the issue to judicial processes as this is well within their rights.”
“On this development, the NCAA is not in the position to give its comments on the culpability and liabilities of John Anthony Amores and others involved under the law and shall defer the matter to the sound determination or authorities and the courts,” the collegiate basketball association said.
A few months ago, University of the Philippines player Mark Belmonte also filed a criminal complaint for “serious physical injuries” against the JRU player.
Last July 26, Amores punched Belmonte n a match organized by the Universities and Colleges Basketball League.
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