CHICAGO - Beneath the sadness of last night’s 69-66 loss to New Zealand in a crucial FIBA window, a joy emerged.
Hiding in plain sight, a star sparkled at the MoA Arena on Thursday and Gilas Pilipinas found its resident point of the future.
Juan Gomez de Liano.
READ Sky's the limit for 'special talent' Juan GdL at Gilas, says Cone
Although his debut with the men’s national team was limited to just 14 minutes and 51 seconds, it was a riveting performance that birthed the promise of stability to a key position.
With the short playing time, Juan GDL’s numbers were a modest 10 points, one rebound and two assists while hitting a pair of 3s.
BUt HE CHECKED ALL THE BOXES THAT GAUGE ELITE POINT GUARDS.
He had sure feet and steady hands. He saw the court like a visionary, reading plays before they developed. He flaunted his high basketball IQ and dazzled with his ball-handling skills.
More importantly, JGDL was a strong leader who showed measured aggression without losing sight of facilitating first.
As he held his head high in the face of a crushing blow to our 2027 FIBA World Cup bid, Gomez de Liano’s rise to stardom was no accident.
The 6-foot, 163-pound playmaker was UAAP Rookie of the Year in 2017 and was voted into the Mythical Team in 2018. He was also PBA D-League MVP in 2022.
Born in Mandaluyong with Spanish blood coursing through his veins, JGDL has a game lathered with international flavor.
AN EASY FIT ON THE FIBA STAGE.
Having grown his spurs playing in pro leagues in Lithuania, Japan and Korea,
the magic he weaved against the Tall Blacks was not mere happenstance.
And Pinoy hoops fans, so discerning when it comes to their basketball, were quick to shower the 27-year old Converge playmaker with universal praise.
In the spasmodic tug of emotions that spilled on social media after the Gilas defeat, JGDL provided a common ray of bittersweet jubilation and hope.
“I’m honestly just grateful. I don’t take that kind of support for granted. I truly felt the love and energy,” Gomez de Liano, his ears still ringing with applause, told me on Friday night.
Gratitude is a two-way street and so it flows from a basketball-crazed nation toward it’s newfound gem.
It took a while to get to the men’s national team but it looks like Juan Gomez de Liano is here to stay.
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