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Juan GDL embraces fresh start with Converge


Just the idea of joining Converge’s young and promising core makes Juan Gomez de Liaño all the more thrilled to kickstart his PBA career.

The Season 50 Draft’s second overall pick can’t wait to buckle down to work with a FiberXers side that’s steadily becoming one of the more watched teams since joining the league in 2022, with the way it’s been building its roster.

“I love their plan for me,” he told reporters Sunday.

“We’re on the same page. My goal is to win a championship. I can’t wait to represent Converge.”

Gomez de Liaño serves as the latest addition to a youth-laden squad aiming for big things, led by their twin towers of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar.

The well-travelled combo guard is coming in as a major boost to an explosive backcourt bannered by two-way guy Alec Stockton and Deschon Winston.

2025-KBL-Seoul-SK-Juan-Gomez-de-Liano Juan GDL embraces fresh start with Converge Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

(C) KBL

Converge acquired the quartet of talents in the two previous drafts. They’ve been growing solidly together, as evidenced by the recent 2024-25 season in which they reached the quarterfinals of all three conferences.

“We got a young core,” said Gomez de Liano. “We got a lot of great players — we got arguably the best two local bigs, Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar. We got Schonny Winston and Alec Stockton. I can’t wait to play with them.

“They know how to play within the system, and they know how to play the right way,” the former PBA D-League MVP with Marinerong Pilipino added.

And now, the FiberXers have brought in Gomez de Liaño, injecting more experience to the group owing to his stints in Japan, Lithuania, and Korea.

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Needless to say, expectations have rocketed for the ball club with him in tow, but the UP product is just channeling everything into proving his worth.

“I can’t ask for more. I’m blessed to be chosen by Converge,” said the 25-year-old, who’s been playing professionally since 2021. “I know the team owner, the coaching staff, all the bosses.

“I wouldn’t let them regret their pick. I’m just going to do my best.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


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