It would be a dream come true for Javi Gomez de Liaño should he and Juan get to play — either against or alongside — each other in the PBA.
While the brothers have done as much overseas, the 26-year-old would find it all the more sweeter if they do so at home, and with the family in attendance.
“Kung mag-PBA na rin siya, why not, PBA na rin ako,” offered Javi, who’s back in Manila as his Korean Basketball League season ended just last week.
“Malay natin, maging teammates pa kami,” added the eighth overall pick of the 2022 Draft.
“That’s one of our dreams din eh, playing together here.”
Both the Gomez de Liaños actually started their pro careers in the B.League, but it was in Korea where they finally competed against one another.
After playing in different divisions in Japan’s top-flight league, the two found themselves squaring off for a total of six times during the 2024-25 KBL tilt, with Juan playing for Seoul SK and Javi suiting up for Anyang Jung Kwan Jang.
“It’s the first time we played together abroad kasi when we played together in Japan, he was playing in Division 2 eh, ako sa Division 1,” said the former Ibaraki Robots forward. “So, we never got to play with each other.”
The Red Boosters, though, got swept by Ulsan in the quarterfinals while the Knights are currently up 2-0 against Suwon in the semis.
Their campaigns may have gone differently, but it was still a season so memorable for the close siblings, leaving Javi all smiles.
(C) KBL
“Nung Korea, parang milestone eh,” he reflected. “We grew up playing sa backyard. All our life, we’ve been playing together — high school sa UP, college. Bucket list talaga to play each other in the pro leagues.”
But the ultimate dream, really, is for them to play in Asia’s pioneering pro league, which could be happening sooner or later depending on Juan’s plans.
Javi himself hinted that the PBA Draft could be the next destination of his younger bro although it’s unsure if it will be this year or the next.
The former PBA D-League MVP is in the midst of a three-year deal he signed with Seoul SK back in 2023, with his third year being a player option.
But whenever that may be, his ‘kuya’ is among those excited for him, especially with the latter looking to come back to the PBA should a good offer come.
After all, it’s where he was able to spread his wings as part of the Terrafirma team that took the vaunted San Miguel to the limit during the 2024 Philippine Cup in easily one of the best stories of that season.
In fact, he reunited with his former Dyip teammates in Juami Tiongson, Stephen Holt, Isaac Go, and Dre Cahilig when he watched the Beermen’s 104-93 win over Ginebra live at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.
The five, which formed Coach Johnedel Cardel’s core before it got broken by the franchise, even shared a photo together before leaving the venue.
And maybe soon, Javi could be going up against or possibly playing with some of his brothers-in-arms in the PBA — with Juan in the mix as well.
“Sooner or later, I think he also plans to join the Draft. I don’t know if this year, or next next. Miss niya na rin,” said Javi, who spent two seasons with Terrafirma.
“Of course, he’s asking advice from me on how it was and I told him … if he wants to feel at home again, the PBA will always be a great opportunity for him,” he added.
“I’m sure any team would really use a talent like him.”
#WATCH: Javi Gomez de Liano opens up about the possibility of his return to the PBA after his contract with Anyang JKJ expired 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA2025 #KBL pic.twitter.com/4AcpdCP9Jp
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 25, 2025
