University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons former star player Juan Gomez de Liaño has signed up to play for the Earth Friends Tokyo Z of the Japan Professional Basketball League (Japan B. League).
Gomez de Liaño, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Rookie of the Year for the UP Men’s Basketball Team (UP MBT) was announced on June 23, 2021, to have made a basic agreement to join Earth Friends Tokyo Z in the Japan B. League for the 2021-22 season. The team announced that a formal contract with the Filipino will be signed after the medical check-up.
The fabled UP MBT standout is joining the Japanese professional league as an Asian import in Division 2.
The 22-year-old collegiate basketball player was welcomed to the club as “a player who can demonstrate excellent performance” and whose “exceptional personal skill and mental strength will lead to revitalization of the team and improvement of the overall level.”
“I’m honored to be part of the Earth Friends Tokyo Z team. I’m very excited to battle it out and compete with you guys all throughout the season to be part of this journey,” said Gomez de Liaño in his message during the team announcement of his move to the Japanese league.
“I’m looking forward to meeting you guys soon and I hope you guys support us through the challenges ahead,” the Filipino import added.
The UP Maroons star joins the Japan B. League after his stint at the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers where he played in the first three games that propelled the Gilas Pilipinas team to group leader status with a 3-0 scorecard going into the resumption of the qualifying games in June 2021 where the Philippine national team earned a qualifier berth.
Gomez de Liaño’s fellow Filipino import Thirdy Ravena, formerly of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, has suited up for San-En Neo Phoenix of the Japan B. League Division 1.
SEND WELL WISHES in the comments below to UP Fighting Maroons star player Juan Gomez de Liaño as he signs up for the Japan B. League and WATCH his video message here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDcHuCh_y8&t=9s
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