Little guy Gomez ready to fill big shoes
La Salle Green Archers’ Gian Gomez during a game against UE Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
La Salle’s smallest guy on the floor often receives the biggest ovation.
Gian Gomez, the Green Archers’ 5-foot-6 guard, always hears it from the La Salle crowd every time he enters the court—and Wednesday night was no different.
“I wasn’t expecting much here; I know my role is to be a spark off the bench and I want to thank the crowd because they’re doing that for me,” he told the Inquirer at Mall of Asia Arena after their 84-72 win over the University of the East in the second round of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
“Every time I enter the court, I feel them energizing me. That’s where I get my energy.”
Gomez only played four minutes for last year’s finalist. Yet, in those four minutes that he was on the hardwood, the crowd was at their loudest despite the game already looking like a runaway.
Gomez, a former La Salle Greenhills standout in the juniors’ division, finished with just three points but it was arguably the loudest three points of the game.
Much like any other small guy in a sport where height is a value, Gomez didn’t join La Salle burdened by heavy expectations.
His determination during his run with the Greenies last year, however, earned the trust of coach Topex Robinson.
But suddenly, Gomez’s value may have just shot up.
La Salle usually leads off with a 1-2 combination in the back court featuring Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez.
Unfortunately, Baclaan is currently dealing with an MCL injury after an unfortunate incident with the Red Warriors’ Wello Lingolingo in the first round of eliminations.
Gomez sees that as an opportunity to prove he can be a thorn to opponents.
“Of course, I won’t change how I play as a spark plug. That’s my role in the team and my coaches aren’t telling me to change that.”
“Since Kean is out, I have to learn faster that even if I’m a rookie, I have to mature faster because we’re two men down and this is my opportunity to learn more.”
