ADD Javi Gomez de Liaño to Filipino basketball players bringing their acts overseas.
The former University of the Philippines forward was signed by Ibaraki in the Japan B. League, the team announced yesterday.
“We are pleased to announce that Ibaraki Robots has reached an agreement with Javier Gomez de Liaño for the B. League 2021-22 season,” the ballclub said on its website.
By opting to suit up as a pro for the Robots in Japan, the 6-foot-4 Gomez de Liaño has foregone his final year with the Fighting Maroons.
“I’m happy to announce that I’ll be playing for Ibaraki Robots in the Japan B1 league. I’d like to thank coach Richard and Robots management for giving me this opportunity of the lifetime,” Gomez de Liaño said.
“At the same time, I can’t wait to play for you guys and meet the amazing community out there,” he added.
Javi’s younger brother Juan linked up with Earthfriends Tokyo Z in the second division last month.
Former Ateneo star Thirdy Ravena was the first Filipino to play in the B. League last year for San-En NeoPhoenix, while former UP wingman Jaydee Tungcab was also set to play in the league’s second division but this did not push through due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NLEX star and Thirdy’s brother Kiefer was also signed last month by the Shiga Lakestars but legal problems from the PBA prevented him from going overseas.
Gomez de Liaño, 22, last saw action for Gilas Pilipinas where he was good for 10.7 points on 50-percent shooting from deep, to go with 3.0 rebounds in 16.9 minutes of play in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
He was one of the last three players left at home for the Gilas five that played in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Belgrade, Serbia last week.
Ibaraki wound up with a 39-16 card in the second division last season, good for third, and advanced to the finals before falling to the Gunma Crane Thunders.
In his swan song for the Katipunan-based crew, Gomez de Liaño averaged 9.4 points on 47.1 percent shooting, including a solid 35.4 percent mark from beyond the arc in 16 games.
