Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Brothers Javi Gomez de Liaño and Juan Gomez de Liaño have their hands full with commitments to three basketball teams, but one thing is for certain: they will be back for University of the Philippines in Season 84 of the UAAP.
In an appearance in The Prospects Pod, the brothers said that even though they’re with the Gilas program, Nueva Ecija in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, and Marineron Pilipino in the PBA D-League, they’re still fully committed to return to the Fighting Maroons in UAAP Seas2021 or when the UAAP resumes in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I really wanna play again for UP right after my stint with Nueva Ecija. Next year, I’m gonna still play with Nueva Ecija, but whenever Season 84 is I’ll be playing for UP,” said Javi.
Despite mulling a run for the PBA, Javi said that he’s envisioned winning the UAAP title with UP since he was in high school and it’s that dream that fuels him to return to his scholastic home.
“Actually, I was already thinking of going to the PBA draft last year,” said Javi. “It’s just that I haven’t stopped thinking that I’d like to give UP a title one day.”
Juan, the younger of the brothers, has the same aspiration as his brother especially with both of them studying and playing high school basketball with UP Integrated School.
“I’ve been in UP for seven years and personally, I just wanna bring a championship even just one,” said Juan.
The two had already decided to sit out Season 83 to fully focus on Gilas Pilipinas after both of them were included in the national team pool.
But with the COVID-19 pandemic, even that chance to represent the country will have to wait as Fiba tournaments remain suspended.
Despite the uncertainty, the brothers are still doing the work to keep themselves focused and in shape amid the lockdown.
“The work never stops for us,” said Javi.