JUAN Gomez de Liaño got Tim Cone’s attention all right on Friday night.
The Converge rookie sensation is hoping his late basket in the FiberXers’ 106-96 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup won’t make the Gin Kings and Gilas Pilipinas coach look away.
“De Liaño looked like the best player in the league tonight,” a torn Cone said, impressed by the No. 2 overall pick in the last draft, but looking forlorn after the Gin Kings fell to 2-4.
Informed of Cone’s praise, Gomez de Liaño was surely giggling inside.
READ Juan GdL's 32 piece highlights masterful Converge win over Ginebra
“Oh, really? Coming from him, the GOAT, it's an honor,” the University of the Philippines product said after torching Ginebra with 32 points while missing just three of his 16 shots, adding six boards, and six assists in 33 minutes of play.
“Especially for him to be able to notice my game. Like I said, my job pretty much is to help my team win. Trying to make the right plays.”
“And I'm glad that he kind of noticed that. And I want to talk to him. Honestly, I'm trying to try out for a Gilas spot,” he admitted. “Hopefully, one day.”
READ Delta Pineda explains Converge garbage-time basket that irks Cone
Gomez de Liaño, though, capped his offensive onslaught with a layup that didn’t sit well with Cone after the lefty playmaker made it even with his team up by 10 points with seven seconds to go.
“I was going to hold it, but I see my entire coaching staff say, ‘Go for a layup. Get a bucket.’ I’m like, ‘Really?’ And they explained there’s a quotient system, so I just followed instructions. No bad blood from my side,” Gomez de Liaño insisted.
“I'm sorry if I, you know, gave him bad vibes or energy,” he added of Cone. “It's completely not my control. I just went for a layup.”
What Gomez de Liaño hopes Cone would remember is his overall performance that would get him chance to make a national team comeback.
“Yeah, hopefully. I'm trying to crack a roster spot. That's my main goal. Especially my brother and I,” the younger brother of Magnolia forward Javi GdL said. “So, hopefully, we play for Gilas again one day.”
“If I get a call from the national team, that's truly just a no-brainer. That's automatic. It's a different feeling playing for the national team.
“I'm still 25. I feel like I have a bright future ahead. I just continue to do the right thing. Continue to play. Hopefully, one day. I feel like I can help a lot. Especially with the experience I gained overseas I could bring to Gilas,” he added.
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