Juan Gomez de Liano had his first start for Tokyo Z.
However, the University of the Philippines stalwart still played short minutes in Earthfriends’ 61-84 loss to Sendai, Sunday afternoon at the Ota Ward General Gymnasium.
Gomez de Liano played 12 minutes and 19 seconds, finishing with just a point, going field goal-less in four attempts. The 6-foot guard also had four rebounds and an assist while committing four turnovers.
The 89ers had a strong start to silence Earthfriends, going on a 14-0 burst to dampen the hosts.
Dominant were Sendai as it led by as much as 26 points, 84-58, late in the contest.
Winless still are Earthfriends in five tries while the 89ers went up to 1-4.
Eddy Norelia was the sole double-digit scorer for Tokyo Z with 19 points and eight rebounds.
The imports of the 89ers did the damage for Sendai with Devin Oliver tallying 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists; Jerome Meyinsse finishing with 22 points, five blocks, five rebounds, and three assists; and Justin Burrell scattering 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
The two squads face off again tomorrow at 6:00PM (Manila time).
