Gomez de Liaño again in lineup as Gilas seeks to ‘convey quite a lot of combat’ in homestand

Juan Gomez de Liaño dons the nationwide colours for the primary time since 2022 as Gilas Pilipinas hosts high groups New Zealand and Australia within the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

MANILA, Philippines – Juan Gomez de Liaño returns to Gilas Pilipinas motion for the primary time in 4 years.

The Converge guard made the ultimate 12-man roster because the Philippines hosts New Zealand within the first of its two-game homestand within the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on the Mall of Asia Area on Thursday, February 26.

Having final donned the nationwide colours in 2022, Gomez de Liaño made his means again after a stellar displaying for the FiberXers within the PBA Philippine Cup that noticed him contend for the Finest Participant of the Convention honors.

Gomez de Liaño, who takes RJ Abarrientos’ spot, is likely one of the solely two roster modifications from the Philippines’ first-window staff as head coach Tim Cone sticks with virtually the identical crew, bringing again Justin Brownlee, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Quentin Millora-Brown, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Scottie Thompson.

Calvin Oftana can also be again as he replaces Japeth Aguilar, who retired from Gilas duties on the finish of the primary window. 

Other than Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar and Troy Rosario didn’t make the reduce for the New Zealand match. 

Whereas the Nationals boast of a 2-0 report in Group A after a two-game sweep of Guam within the first window, profitable turns into a tall order from right here on out as they play two video games every towards world No. 25 New Zealand and No. 6 Australia for the remainder of the primary spherical.

“There’s all the time quite a lot of uncertainty while you’re not collectively on a regular basis. We expect we’re going to compete, we like our probabilities, we predict we match up properly, we’re hoping to play properly collectively, however definitely, there’s quite a lot of uncertainty,” Cone advised Rappler. 

“We received’t know till we hit the ground, however we do know for sure that we’ll convey quite a lot of combat and depth enjoying in our dwelling courtroom.” 

Cone and his wards hope to redeem themselves after shedding their final two video games towards New Zealand, together with a 94-86 defeat within the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup the place Justin Brownlee noticed his 37-point explosion go for naught.

The final time the Philippines hosted New Zealand, the Filipinos beat the Tall Blacks for the primary time in FIBA play, hacking out a 93-89 win within the Asia Cup Qualifiers in 2024 on the again of a 19-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist effort by star huge man Kai Sotto.

Though Sotto stays out, Gilas hopes the entry of Gomez de Liaño would flip the tide towards New Zealand.

If the Philippines manages to get previous New Zealand, it solely will get harder for the staff because it battles Australia on Sunday, March 1, on the identical venue. – Rappler.com