Juan Gomez de Liaño sustains his phenomenal play in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, helping Converge cop its second win with another triple-double performance.
Juan Gomez de Liaño has done quite a lot already early in his PBA career.
Three games into his journey in the premiere league in Asia, Gomez de Liaño logged a second triple-double outing, this time in Converge’s 125-108 thrashing of Terrafirma in the Season 50 Philippine Cup Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Gomez de Liaño turned in 17 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the FiberXers returned to the win column for a 2-1 slate.
“I think it comes from the work I put in everyday,” said Gomez de Liaño, who delivered 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in his debut against Titan Ultra last Oct. 11.
“Props and credits to the team and coaching staff for all the trust. They believe in me. So I’m just really grateful to be in this situation right now.”
[RELATED STORY: Juan Gomez de Liaño earns PBA Player of the Week honors after historic debut for Converge]
Alec Stockton also stellar
But while Gomez de Liaño stole the spotlight, Alec Stockton also deserved to share it with his all-around effort of 22 points, three rebounds, five assists, four steals and a block.
MJ Garcia contributed 15 markers, Schonny Winston scored 14, and the frontcourt duo of Justin Arana (13 points and 12 rebounds) and Justine Baltazar (12-11) came up with double-doubles.
“We had a tough loss against TNT. We had some lapses, but I’m glad we got the dub. I think we did a good job today,” said JGDL.
Stockton and Gomez de Liaño did a splendid job, especially in the middle quarters, where they combined for 19 of the FiberXers' 67 points that set the table for the breakaway.
Even with Jerrick Ahanmisi pouring eight of his 16 points in the fourth period, the Dyip simply struggled to recover.
Ahanmisi also had two rebounds, four assists and two steals.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Now with brother Maverick, Jerrick Ahanmisi keen to turn things around for Terrafirma]
Louie Sangalang had 15 points while JM Bravo put up 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks for the Dyip, who dropped to 1-2.
Converge vs Terrafirma Scores:
CONVERGE 125 – Stockton 22, Gomez de Liano 17, Garcia 15, Winston 14, Arana 13, Baltazar 12, Clemente 10, Muyang 10, Javillonar 6, Concepcion3, Racal 3, Delos Santos 0, Suerte 0, Santos 0
TERRAFIRMA 108 – Ahanmisi 16, Sangalang 15, Bravo 13, Hanapi 10, Nonoy 10, Hernandez 10, Mariano 8, Paraiso7, Rivero 6, Zaldivar 4, Catapusan 4, Olivario 0, Garcia 0
Quarterscores: 29-30, 59-51, 96-76, 125-108
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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.