Converge guard Juan Gomez de Liano in motion against Titan Ultra within the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES
RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—Juan Gomez de Liano returned to PBA duties on Sunday after making a powerful impression for Gilas Pilipinas in the course of the third window of the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers.
Gomez de Liano exceeded expectations, particularly against Recent Zealand, which many saw as a game that solidified his place on coach Tim Cone’s rotation.
“Performance-wise, I hope so,” Gomez de Liano said after Converge’s 105-74 win over Titan Ultra at Ynares Center Montalban here.
The double-overtime loss to the Tall Blacks saw Gomez de Liano hitting two big triples that kept Gilas within the fight on the road.
His first three sent the competition to its first extension, while the second almost won it for the Philippines. But Recent Zealand had other ideas, eventually pulling off an escape act within the second five-minute period.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas’ young core gives hope despite 2OT loss
One good window, nevertheless, doesn’t mean that Gomez de Liano should step his foot off the gas pedal.
“Those things are just about out of my control,” said the PBA rookie. “If I said it’s out of my control, If I get a call up, I’ll just do my thing and show up and just be there for the blokes.
“It’s out of my control, but you recognize, I can’t say I’ll screw the spot. So, I’ll just stay calm,” added Gomez de Liano.
The following window is about late next month with the beginning of the second round, and Gilas is in a situation where it must win just about all, if not all games to qualify for next 12 months’s World Cup.
Gilas has a 2-4 record entering the second round, sitting fifth behind Australia, Recent Zealand, Iran and Jordan in Group E. The Philippines will each face Iran, Jordan and Syria twice across three windows.
“I feel like must win games for us,” Gomez de Liano said. “I don’t think we are able to afford to lose, you recognize, those Middle Eastern teams. They know find out how to play basketball the appropriate way.”
Meanwhile, Gomez de Liano scored just two points, but had nine rebounds and nine assists in 25 minutes because the FiberXers rolled past the Giant Risers to start their Governors’ Cup campaign on a brilliant note.