Gilas veteran guard Scottie Thompson welcomes the addition of Juan Gomez de Liaño to the Gilas Pilipinas pool for Window 1 of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
There’s probably no one happier than Gilas Pilipinas’ seasoned guards with the inclusion of rising star Juan Gomez de Liaño in the pool.
Count Scottie Thompson among them.
The veteran playmaker said Gomez de Liaño's arrival could take some workload off him in the upcoming Window 1 of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
“Sobrang saya nga naming mga veterans, especially mga guards. Kasi nadagdagan kami ng mga bata. Kailangan natin 'yon sobra [para] sa future ng Gilas,” Thompson told One Sports hours before the team’s afternoon practice at the Inspire Sports Academy Saturday, Nov. 22.
[RELATED STORY: Juan GDL yet to master Cone's triangle: 'Still getting familiar with the system']
The former PBA Most Valuable Player even went on to say that JGDL is a perfect fit for Tim Cone’s vaunted triangle system.
“Very big addition for us, especially Juan, big guard. Very perfect sa system ni coach Tim ngayon dito sa amin. Especially 'yong experience niya sa international, malaking bagay,” said Thompson.
[RELATED STORY: Juan GDL, Quentin Millora-Brown looking good so far for Gilas]
Indeed, the 26-year-old Converge rookie is no longer a stranger to international play, having suited up for the national team in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers.
On top of that, he had stints in Lithuania, Japan and South Korea as an import before finding his way back home and joining the FiberXers in the PBA as the second overall pick.
With Gomez de Liaño's vast experience, Thompson believes that the former UP star will make a splash for Gilas.
“Alam naman natin ang caliber ni Juan. 'Yong experience niya sa international, hindi na siya maninibago [in Gilas' tournaments]. Siyempre, naglaro na rin 'yan para sa bayan, so hindi na bago sa kaniya,” the do-it-all Ginebra guard said.
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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.