ANTIPOLO — Javi Gomez de Liaño would be the first to admit that his rookie year in the PBA did not turn out the way he would have wanted.
“I know to myself na medyo bust ‘yung season ko – far from what I expected, especially coming from the B.League,” said the eighth overall selection of Ginebra San Miguel in the 2022 Rookie Draft.
That hardly dragged his confidence down, though.
“Despite those bad numbers, that didn’t stop me,” he said. “‘Di nasira ‘yung confidence ko, kasi I know what kind of a player I am and what I can bring to the table.”
So far, it’s been evident two games into the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup. The University of the Philippines product has scored 17 points in both outings, including Wednesday’s match against Blackwater at the Ynares Center here.
That game saw him log the most minutes off the bench with 31 minutes and 47 seconds, and he made the most out of it.
Gomez de Liaño shot 46-percent from the floor and also collected five rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
(C) PBA Images
“Luckily the past two games, I’m blessed na they’ve been trusting me with the minutes given so I make sure to do my part to deliver as well,” Gomez de Liaño said moments after the game.
“Just making the most of opportunities.”
The 25-year-old knows that it’s all about opportunities and he earned his, big thanks to the PBA On Tour preseason tournament.
There, he averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2,1 assists in all 11 games.
“It’s all about opportunities here sa PBA. Ever since On Tour, may mga na-injure, I made use of that opportunity to step up, making sure I won’t take it for granted,” said Gomez de Liaño, who only averaged 6.0 points as a rookie.
But really, the big reason behind his improved play is learning how to become a smarter player on the court – “diskarte,” as he said.
“Kailangan mo ng sariling diskarte. I think ‘yun ‘yung naging problem ko nung rookie year ko. Ever since sa Japan, sa collegiate level, I’ve been, like, a system player,” the former Gilas Pilipinas forward said.
“So getting in the pros, ‘yung mga veterans namin like Alex (Cabagnot), lagi nila ako gina-guide, they remind me like sa PBA, what’s gonna happen kung, say, ‘di ako fit sa system or if you’re not making an impact kailangan ko dumiskarte in other ways.
“Pero ‘yung diskarte, tricky rin e. So you’re gonna make sure na if you do things your way … You’re gonna make sure it’s for the betterment of the team. Dapat ‘yung intention mo lagi is to help the team better,” he added.
