MANILA – Juan Gomez de Liaño, one of the top prospects in the PBA 50 Draft, is not letting the expectations get to his head.
Gomez de Liaño stood out among the nearly 130 rookie aspirants in Day 1 of the PBA Draft Combine on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
"I really don't look at it as pressure. With that kind of stuff I just keep the faith and just put in the work. That's where I get my confidence. I don't see it as pressure," he said.
"As a player, I mean definitely it's always been a dream. Especially you have a chance to be chosen as number one. It's definitely something I've been working towards. Hopefully I land in the right situation," the 25-year-old added.
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Before throwing his name in the PBA Draft, Gomez de Liaño played in the Japan B. League, Korean Basketball League and the Lithuanian Basketball Association.
For the former University of the Philippines standout, these experiences prepared him for the PBA.
"I spent about five years overseas, pretty much there's a lot of experience I gained there na madadala ko dito. I developed a lot not just as a player but as a person as well. Kinda nagpahinog muna ako in a way, maturity wise," Gomez de Liaño said.
"I'm 25 [years old] kinda old. I felt it was the right time. I'm ready for the PBA," he said.
Ahead of the PBA Draft on Sunday, Gomez de Liaño said he had a few meetings with a few teams.
"Hopefully ma-draft. Hopefully I land in a good situation. Honestly, that's what I pray," he shared.
"Any team, honestly. Whichever team that calls my name, I'm just gonna give my all and everything to represent the ball club. Yeah any team naman," Gomez de Liaño added.
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A former UAAP Rookie of the Year, Gomez de Liaño believes he can bring experience, leadership, and playmaking to whichever team drafts him.
Aside from the guard, other top prospects who were present on Day 1 were big men Geo Chiu and Will Gozum were also in attendance, but the former did not join the individual tests.
Veteran playmaker Jason Brickman was absent.
In Day 1 of the PBA Draft Combine, the rookie aspirants took part in the individual tests for lane agility, running jump, standing jump, reaction time and court sprint. After they had five-on-five scrimmages in the afternoon, where some coaches and team officials were in attendance.
Day 2 of the PBA Draft Combine is on Friday still at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, while the draft proceedings are set for September 7.