Tim Cone talks about the Gilas Pilipinas pool's newest guys, Juan Gomez de Liaño and Quentin Millora-Brown ahead of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
After Juan Gomez de Liaño clocked in three days in practice, Cone has remained in awe of the rising star, describing him as “a revelation.”
“Juan is great. He’s a revelation, honestly. He’s looking as good here as he has been in the PBA,” Cone said of JGDL after the national team wrapped up training Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Upper Deck Gym.
“He hasn’t lost a step. He’s as dominant in this group as he is with Converge. Very impressive.”
[RELATED STORY: Cone on Juan Gomez de Liaño: 'Looked like the best player in the league']
The FiberXers' No. 2 overall dropped 32 points in a 106-96 win against Cone's Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup six days ago.
That all the more convinced Cone that Gilas needed someone with Gomez de Liaño’s skillset.
“We’ve had him in mind for a while. But it was a consensus among the coaching staff, just feeling that’s the position we felt we could use a little bit more of a scorer and ball controller and a pick and roll guy,” said the winningest PBA mentor in a previous interview.
[ALSO READ: Kai Sotto joins Gilas prep for FIBA WC Asian Qualifiers, targets return by January]
Quentin Millora-Brown also earns nod
Cone was also impressed with new guy Quentin Millora-Brown.
The former University of the Philippines one-and-done standout was called up by Gilas after his appeal got FIBA to consider him as a local player.
Now Millora-Brown is seen as someone who can also hold the fort with Kai Sotto and AJ Edu once June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar decide to call it quits.
“We don’t have AJ here, so having Q is big for us at this point. And it’s good either way because we can focus on him a little bit more and get a little bit deeper in teaching him,” said Cone.
Gilas is gearing up for its road and home games on Nov. 28 and Dec. 1, respectively, against Guam, of which San Miguel ace Jericho Cruz is a member.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.