By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
So the rumors were true.
The reason why Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño will not suit up for the UP Fighting Maroons this coming UAAP Season 83 was confirmed.
Both Juan and Javi agreed to sign a contract with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards with hopes of boosting their lineup and make a run for a title in the next season of the MPBL.
Head coach Charles Tiu of the Rice Vanguards proudly announced the arrival of his new players and said that their relationship during the Mighty Sports PH stint blossomed and allowed them to bond and align their goals.
With the familiarity that these three already have, coach Tiu said that chemistry and cohesion would not be an issue for the team.
Javi, who developed into a versatile forward who can score and defend with a big frame, will bring additional paint and shooting presence, one of the things that Nueva Ecija lacked.
Meanwhile, his brother Juan, one of the most creative scorers in UAAP, proved his worth during his stint with Gilas Pilipinas and already represented the country in various international tournaments.
For the meantime, coach Tiu is waiting for the brothers to join their practice and is highly confident for his team’s future.
