After University of the Philippines’ final game in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Juan Gomez de Liaño had to be consoled by good friend Kobe Paras, while his older brother Javi looked around the Iskos and Iskas in attendance.
Wednesday night could be their final game for the Fighting Maroons.
Moments after the game, Juan sent out a tweet, thanking UP for the last seven years.
“I’ll always cherish the past seven years in my beloved Alma Mater. Definitely been the best ever,” tweeted the third-year guard.
“Maraming salamat, UP! It’s been real.”
According to Juan, who had eight points and eight rebounds in UP’s heartbreaking 65-68 loss to UST, he is still weighing his options.
“Wala naman ‘yun. Just thankful. Just thinking about the future.”
On the other hand, Javi — who missed on a potential go-ahead basket with 5.6 seconds left — is pondering on entering the 2019 PBA Draft.
“I’m gonna take the next month to decide. I’m still thinking if I’m gonna join the PBA Draft. I’ll still have to ask for guidance. That’s an option. Another option is if I get a good offer in MPBL,” said the fourth-year forward, who played for Marinerong Pilipino back in 2018.
“And of course, I can also play my final year in UP. That will always be an option.”
Despite not making it to the Finals after finishing runners-up last season, the two have no regrets with their achievements this year.
“I’m really proud of my team. No one really knows what we went through in the off-season, but this has been like the best years of my life. No regrets,” said Javi.
“It’s been a tough season not just for me, but the whole team. Expectations were high and we fell short. We couldn’t prove the haters wrong, but I’m just thankful just to be part of this family. Through ups and downs, so much went on in the season. I’m just glad we stayed together all throughout. That bond meant a lot for my career,” expressed Juan.
“I’d say this season, definitely, is one of the seasons na I really learned a lot and I got to know more about myself. I’m just thankful for the team.”
