After breakout Gilas game, JDL ready for next window

Juan Gomez de Liaño (right): There’s nothing better than playing for the national team. —FIBA.COM PHOTO

Juan Gomez de Liaño had his coming-out party of sorts for Gilas Pilipinas during the previous window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers when he played a pivotal part in the near-victory on the road against New Zealand.

And expectations are that Gomez de Liaño could carry that into the upcoming home games against Jordan and Iran as back-to-the-wall Gilas needs to open the second round of qualification with a sweep of the fourth window.

Is a bigger role due for the Converge rookie?

“I don’t think so, honestly,” Gomez de Liaño said. “I’m just going to come in with the same approach.”

Last July saw Gomez de Liaño put up the best game of his Gilas tenure under coach Tim Cone. Against New Zealand in chilly Auckland, Gomez de Liaño forced overtime with a gutsy triple late in regulation and almost got Gilas the win in the first period of the extension with another triple.

Gilas wound up losing in double overtime, 106-102, as Gomez de Liaño finished with 23 points in just 21 minutes as he stepped up in a big way.

And with Gilas to miss Japan B.League regulars for the next window, the time is right for JDL to again assert himself.

Cone is likely to bank on the southpaw guard to deliver the needed scoring punch in the window as Gilas needs to beat Jordan on Aug. 28 and Iran on Aug. 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena to stay within distance of the top four in Group F.

A loss may jeopardize Gilas’ hopes of a fourth consecutive World Cup berth. Gomez de Liaño is relishing the opportunity to meet the challenge head-on.

“I’m given the opportunity to step on the floor no matter how many minutes,” he said. “I’m just going to try my best to play my game and do what I can do.”

“There’s [nothing] better than playing for the national team,” he went on. “It’s always been a dream of mine and I’m definitely excited for these two games.”

Gilas is entering the midway point of its buildup for the window as it aims to improve on a 2-4 record entering the home-and-away games with not only Jordan and Iran, but also Syria.

Iran sits second in the group with a 5-1 record, trailing only Australia, which is on top of the pack carrying a perfect 6-0 slate.

Jordan likewise holds a 5-1 card for third while New Zealand is at fourth at 3-3.

Like Gilas, Syria has a 2-4 record and will not face the Philippines until the fifth window in November. INQ