By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Rookie aspirant John Amores aims to alter perceptions as he enters the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 48 Rookie Draft at the Market! Market! in Taguig City this Sunday, September 17.
The former Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers forward acknowledged that he cannot influence people’s opinions about him.
However, he is determined to demonstrate personal growth if any of the 12 PBA teams give him a chance.
The 24-year-old Amores sparked controversy when he was involved in a punching incident during his tenure with the Heavy Bombers in an NCAA game against the College of St. Benilde Blazers last year.
“‘Yung nangyari sa akin, nasa utak na ng tao ‘yun. Tingin ko, hindi na mawawala ‘yun,” the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) forward said.
“Hindi na mawawala sa tao ‘yun, lalo na sa mga fans. Nandiyan na ‘yun,” he said.
“‘Yung mga basketball players, ‘yun pa rin ‘yung nakakaintindi sa akin. Pero sa akin, wala na eh. Alam ko naman sa sarili ko na ‘yung mga nagawa ko, pinagsisihan ko na ‘yun. Kailangan ko rin itama ‘yun. Eto na ‘yun,” he added.
Amores, who currently plays for Muntinlupa Cagers in the MPBL, said he just tried his luck by applying to the PBA Draft even though his former JRU coach Louie Gonzales told him to wait for another year.
“Una kasi, hindi [dapat] ako magpapa-Draft. ‘Yun din ang suggestion sa akin nung tumatayong ano sa amin, si coach Louie Gonzalez. In-ano niya ako na ‘wag na muna ako magpa-Draft,” Amores said.
“Eh sabi ko sa sarili ko, eto na ‘yung right na … subukan ko lang. Wala naman mawawala. Kung hindi makuha, okay lang. Gawin ko lang ‘yung makakaya ko,” the 6-foot-3 forward added.
If given a chance in the PBA, Amores expressed his willingness to be a valuable addition by addressing any areas of need for the team that selects him.
“Sana mapunan ko ‘yung kung ano pagkukulang ng team nila. Siguro magfo-focus ako sa depensa. Although nandiyan ‘yung offense, nandoon pa rin ‘yung mas kailangan i-improve. Kailangan ko mag-double effort kasi ‘yun ang hindi mo mawo-work. Nasa sarili mo na ‘yung sipag at tiyaga,” Amores said./ASC, WDJ