Brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño went up against each other in the past, but the former is still looking forward for their first PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup meeting.
After being part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the first window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Juan Gomez de Liaño is now honing in on the resumption of action in the PBA.
The super rookie is now looking forward to the much-anticipated clash between him and his brother Juan when Converge and Magnolia collide in the Season 50 Philippine Cup.
The match kicks off at 5:15 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Friday, Dec. 5.
[ALSO READ: Tim Cone says Juan Gomez de Liaño will be on Gilas Pilipinas team soon]
“Siyempre, really excited for the matchup. We played against each other overseas, but now we have a chance to play [against each other] in the PBA,” said the younger Gomez de Liaño.
But make no mistake about it, the FiberXers rising star will approach the game the same way he did in his first few games, which saw him finish with a triple-double twice.
[ALSO READ: PBA extends help to 'Uwan' victims in Albay]
Before the league went on a break to give way for Gilas’ FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers campaign, JGDL rifled in 32 points in Converge's convincing 106-96 win over Ginebra.
His stellar performance — which also came with six rebounds and six assists — earned him the ultimate compliment from Gin Kings coach Tim Cone.
“De Liaño looked like the best player in the league tonight. Greatly complemented by the two bigs (Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar),” said Cone after the match at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion last Nov. 14.
[ALSO READ: Cone on Juan Gomez de Liaño: 'Looked like the best player in the league’]
Later, he was called up to be a part of the pool for the Qualifiers but ultimately did not make the cut.
Now, Gomez de Liaño will continue what he started in the PBA, especially with a lot at stake.
“Just coming with the same mindset, every game just coming with the same intensity, mentality,” said Juan, whose team is in a four-way tie at No. 3 with perennial contenders Hotshots, San Miguel and TNT.
“We’re not going to underestimate any opponent. We’re pretty much trying to win every game ahead of us.”
—
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.