PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft 2nd overall pick of the Converge FiberXers Juan Gomez de Liaño (middle). Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The Converge FiberXers have added another prized talent to their already stacked roster through the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft.
The now Delta Pineda-coached squad, which is bannered by the likes of Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, Alec Stockton, and Schonny Winston, just got richer as they drafted Juan Gomez de Liaño second overall during Sunday’s festivities.
“I can’t ask for more,” said the well-traveled University of the Philippines product at the Mall of Asia Music Hall.
This would be a homecoming of sorts for Juan GDL who already had stints in Japan, Korea, and Lithuania.
READ: After overseas stints, Juan GDL believes now is 'right time' to join PBA
He previously opted to forgo his last season of UAAP eligibility with the Maroons after Season 82 in 2019 as he turned pro, and now that he is to grace Philippine soil anew, Gomez de Liaño is ready to reintroduce himself.
“I’m excited to represent Converge,” the former UAAP Rookie of the Year and Mythical Team member added.
And while this would be the first time that he will be teaming up and facing some of the country’s best and brightest stars, Gomez de Liaño said that his latest meeting with the FiberXers helped him in his transition to the PBA.
“I met with them previously,” he shared. “I love their plan for me, and we’re on the same page — winning a championship.”
It also helps that the likes of Balti, Arana, Stockton, and Winston are on board for Converge.
“We have a young core, great guys, and probably the best group of bigs, so I can’t wait to play with them,” he said. “The players know how to play the system and play the right way.”
Aside from being eager to help Converge reach the next step after a series of quarterfinals exits in the previous conferences, another thing that Juan GDL is looking forward to is matching up against his older brother Javi, who plays for the Magnolia Hotshots.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait for that matchup,” he said.