Brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño during their stint with the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP. UAAP Media/File
MANILA -- Draft hopeful Juan Gomez de Liaño is looking forward to a possible reunion with his older brother, Javi, in the professional ranks.
The younger Gomez de Liaño is among the top prospects in the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft, which has seen over 120 players apply.
Kuya Javi, for his part, recently signed a three-year deal with the Magnolia Hotshots -- the team that holds the sixth overall pick in the rookie draft.
"I'm hoping we play together. That would make things a lot easier," he said on Thursday when asked about facing his sibling.
"If we play against each other, it's gonna be very competitive. We basically grew up together, we played together in middle school, high school, national team. Now we have a chance to play in the PBA, it's something we won't take for granted.. That will be fun, I'm looking forward to it," Gomez de Liaño added.
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Juan said Javi gave him advice ahead of the PBA Draft proceedings.
"Yeah, just a few tips here and there. Kinda what to expect. Like you know the PBA, the physicality is tough, the players here are very skillful," he said.
Juan and Javi played against each other in the Korean Basketball League, when the former was with the Seoul SK Knights and the latter in Anyang JKJ Red Boosters.
The last time they were teammates was during their college days with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
Gomez de Liaño said it was the perfect time in his career to apply for the PBA Draft, following his stints in Korea, Japan and Lithuania.
"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," he said.
"100% [because] I grew up here in the Philippines. I've watched a lot of live games. I knew one day I was gonna be here. I just felt this year was the perfect time," the 25-year-old responded when he said it was his dream to play in the PBA.
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