Juan Gomez de Liaño in action for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Photo from FIBA Basketball.MANILA — Is Juan Gomez de Liaño finally taking his talents to the PBA?
READ: Javi GDL shares wish amid TerraFirma’s uncertain future
The former University of the Philippines star is currently in the country, even appearing in an exhibition match in the Pilipinas United 3x3 League (PUL) on Sunday with only a few days left before the August 29 deadline for applicants for the Season 50 Rookie Draft.
However, does this mean that — after turning professional in 2020 — de Liaño is finally playing in the Philippines anew?
“I’m not sure yet,” he told the press at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
“Honestly, I’m still weighing my options, but entering the PBA is a possibility as well. I’ve been thinking about it, my family and I, whether that may be the best option for me,” he added.
After his collegiate career with the Fighting Maroons, de Liaño has played in the Japan B.League, the Lithuanian Basketball Association, and the Korean Basketball League.
And for Juan GDL, returning to the country and even possibly either playing with or against his brother Javi who was recently dealt to the Magnolia Hotshots from the TerraFirma Dyip is an enticing career move.
“It’s always fun to play, especially here in the Philippines,” he shared. “Everyone loves the game, so I’m just happy to be here.”
“We could be teammates. So it’s gonna be fun. Javi, we grew up playing together, we’ve been teammates since middle school, so it’s gonna be fun,” added the UAAP Season 80 Rookie of the Year.
But while Juan GDL is still finalizing his plan of entering Asia’s oldest professional basketball league, he admitted that if things fall into place, that would be a dream come true for him.
“If ever I enter the draft, it has always been a dream of mine,” he said. “Growing up here, I was always watching the PBA since I was a kid.”
The PBA Rookie Draft is scheduled on September 7.
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