What a waste Amores, from grace to disgrace.

IN a rare time, the world of sports was shaken, shocked and put into shame perpetuated by the very people (athlete) whose supposed to look upon as role model of good moral character and sportsmanship for our younger generation to emulate in their own lives.

And in the light of recent incident, involving Northport “Batang Pier” player John Amores and his brother, were charged of attempted homicide before the Lumban, Laguna prosecutor’s office following an alleged shooting of another player after altercation over a pick-up game last Wednesday.

Though no one were hurt during the said incident and Amores turned himself in to the police, two days after, and eventually posted bail amounting to P24,000. But PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, following a thorough consultation with the Board of Governors, has come-up with a painful decision of a lifetime ban, which mean, Amores can no longer set foot or play in the PBA (come kingdom come).

Which I remember same penalty imposed by then Commissioner Rudy Salud, who fined and slapped Rudy Distrito, after Salud himself and the horrified crowd at Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra) witnessed the so-called The Destroyer deliberately swung a punched at Jojo Lastimosa (who is now assistant coach with TNT Tropang Giga) during a rebound-play between Ginebra and Purefoods.

It's saddening to know, such very young career gone to waste, as the 24th round picked

in the last PBA Rookie draft was also involved in a fracas while playing for the Jose Rizal University “Bombers” in the NCAA two years ago Wherein, he charged and take on the entire St. Benilde Blazers’ bench. Resulted to multiple complaint that led to his banishment from the league handed down by Management Committee.

Actually, this is Amores’ second chance to correct his permissive way of life when, he got drafted during the PBA Rookie, and was to play in the Maharlika Philippine Basketball League (MPBL) for one season with he Zamboanga Valientes, thanks to a letter of support came from no-less than the Office of the Vice President herself, Sara Duterte.

All that chance that given him, are enough to change his life and take a righteous path, but all likewise went down to drain. What a waste.

Meantime, sports in the country from one Olympic celebration brought by gymnast Golden Boy Carlos Yulo’s double gold medal performance in last summer’s Paris Olympiad, is again in festive mode as the Philippine Chess contingent came home with a fine performance in the just concluded 45th FIDE Chess World Olympiad, held in Budapest, Hungary.

Aside finishing 59th overall in the field of 197 countries, the country has produced in the said event the 17th Grandmaster in Daniel Quizon, after salvaging a necessary with Hungarian Super GM in his last match, thus garnering points to event into GM status.

Quizon’s achievement, thus puts him in the company of greatness along with Torre, who is Asia’s first Grandmaster, Joey Antonio, Rosendo Balinas, Rico Mascarinas, Wesley So, (who played for Team USA, after relinquishing his Filipino citizenship and migrating to America years ago) among others.

The Eugene Torre-mentored ended their campaign with 1-3 loss to Hungary B though, pieced up 6 wins and 5 losses out of a total 12 matches.