How many points will he score in his homecoming?
Juan Gomez de Liaño was viewed by many as the next great point guard of Philippine basketball after his impressive stint with the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP.
But fans never really got to follow his development closely after he left UP in Season 82.
Aside from playing in the PBA D-League, where he was named MVP of the Aspirants’ Cup in 2022, de Liaño suited up in the MPBL, the Japan B.League, and the Lithuanian Basketball League.
He was virtually everywhere but the PBA—the country’s biggest basketball stage.
At the moment, he’s a member of the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League.
Fortunately for those hoping to see JGDL in action, the team is also competing in the ongoing East Asia Super League (EASL) season.
The Knights will battle the Meralco Bolts at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig later tonight, which might be the closest thing to seeing the dynamic guard hoop against PBA talent, at least for now.
Ahead of the showdown, de Liaño bared his true feelings about his homecoming.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends. I’m just happy to be back honestly,” the 24-year-old cager said in a video uploaded by the EASL on Instagram.
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JGDL, however, mentioned a couple of things that he didn’t miss too much about the Philippines.
“Except the traffic, (I missed) everything, the food, my friends, my family, the people, of course. The weather (not so much), it’s too hot out here,” he said.
As for facing the Bolts, who have an identical 2-1 record with the Knights, JGDL is all hyped up.
“I’m truly grateful to play here in front of my people and to represent SK Knights, I’m just excited,” he stressed.
Catch the game between the Knights and the Bolts live later at 7 p.m. on One Sports+ and the Pilipinas Live app.
(PM)