Juan Gomez de Liano Being Tipped as the Next Big Thing in MPBL

Juan Gomez de Liano hasn't played a single game in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) but his incoming coach with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Charles Tiu thinks that Juan has the potential to be the next dominant player in the MPBL and perhaps, even become the new face in the coming years. 

To begin with, Juan, one of the Gomez de Liano brothers who is set to join the Rice Vanguards next along with the homegrown hero, Renz Palma, has been hailed as one of the future stars of Philippine basketball and in fact, he is already starting taking that path. In his first round of duty wearing the national colors, Juan GDL scored 10 points as part of the Gilas Pilipinas side that won in Indonesia as part of the first window of the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers. 

Back in college, Juan Gomez de Liano was among the exciting players in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) while suiting up for the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. However, Juan, along with Javi, couldn't deliver an elusive championship to State U as Season 82 saw Juan go down with an injury that slowed his game down. In the end, the Fighting Maroons failed to return to the Finals despite having a line-up that included Bright Akhuetie, Kobe Paras, and Ricci Rivero.

And no, both Gomez de Liano brothers won't be returning to State U for Season 83 as they will focus on their duties with the national team. And now, with Nueva Ecija.

Yes, Juan GDL can score 20 points in a snap of the fingers. Bo Perasol knows that. the UAAP knows that. Even Charles Tiu knows it as he also handled Juan in their stint together with Mighty Sports that competed in the 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship. The talent is there. The heart is there. In other words, there's no doubt that Juan GDL will be one of the exciting players in the MPBL and yes, he could be the next big thing in the league. 

While Juan didn't win a championship in college, he now has an opportunity to do so with Nueva Ecija- a team that finished 11th place in the North Division during the regular season. It's never the question of how talented Juan Gomez de Liano is because that he can definitely play ball. It's only the question of how he will maximize his talent in the MPBL. After all, the MPBL is loaded with talented players- both amateurs and former professional players.  

The good news for Nueva Ecija fans: Juan GDL is only 20 years old and he's only starting to make noise in the amateur scene. Who knows? The Rice Vanguards might actually be able to improve on their recent finish next season. And perhaps, more.

Photo is from ESPN