Juan Gomez de Liaño relishes Gilas return regardless of losses to New Zealand, Australia

‘Two powerful video games, however I really feel prefer it’s a studying expertise,’ says Juan Gomez de Liaño as he fits up for Gilas Pilipinas for the primary time since 2022, albeit in losses to Australia and New Zealand

MANILA, Philippines – 4 years faraway from his final Gilas Pilipinas stint, Juan Gomez de Liaño donned the nationwide workforce colours as soon as once more within the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. 

Though it wasn’t the result Gomez de Liaño and the remainder of the Nationals had hoped for after going winless of their two dwelling video games on the Mall of Asia Enviornment, the 26-year-old guard remained grateful for the chance to go well with up for the Philippines anew.

“It’s actually an honor to symbolize the Philippines. Two powerful video games, however I really feel prefer it’s a studying expertise,” Gomez de Liaño instructed reporters after Gilas’ 93-66 loss to Australia on Sunday, March 1. 

“I’m nonetheless completely happy for the fellows, we fought onerous till the top, however we fell brief.”

In his first sport again for Gilas since 2022, Gomez de Liaño was one of many few vivid spots for the Nationals of their 69-66 loss to New Zealand on Thursday, February 26.  

In that contest, Gomez de Liaño was one in every of three Gilas gamers who scored in double figures with 10 factors on 4-of-11 taking pictures, to go together with 2 assists and 1 rebound in shut to fifteen minutes of play.

His efficiency in that sport even drew reward from Gilas head coach Tim Cone, who referred to as Gomez de Liaño a “particular expertise,” whereas additionally saying the Converge FiberXers star goes to be a “mainstay” on the nationwide workforce. 

Gomez de Liaño, nevertheless, failed to copy his efficiency on Sunday as he went scoreless towards the Boomers after lacking all his 4 makes an attempt from the sphere, though he added 4 rebounds and a pair of assists in over 11 minutes of motion. 

“I believe Australia simply did a great job with their scouting report. They ready quite a bit too so I give credit score to them,” stated Gomez de Liaño. 

Regardless of going 0-2 within the second window, the Nationals are already certified for the second spherical of the Asia Cup Qualifiers, following Guam’s defeat by the hands of New Zealand within the different Group A matchup on Sunday.

Now holding a 2-2 document, Gomez de Liaño and the remainder of Gilas eye payback once they go up towards New Zealand and Australia anew within the third window in July. – Rappler.com