MANILA, Philippines–Being in an underdog situation a couple of times in his career could come in handy for Javi Gomez de Liano as he now looks to play a key role in Magnolia’s quest to end its long quest for a PBA championship.
Gomez de Liano was one of the major additions to the Hotshots roster, bringing with him not only his experience playing overseas but also the hope that he can carry the form he did during the Terrafirma Dyip’s unlikely run to the 2024 Philippine Cup playoffs.
READ: PBA: Magnolia signs Javi Gomez de Liaño to three-year contract
“I hope I reciprocate what I did at Terrafirma and hopefully help this team, Magnolia, win the championship,” Gomez de Liano said ahead of the Hotshots’ season-opening match against sibling rival Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Long been considered title favorites, Magnolia is actually on a long drought, with its last taste of glory being the 2018 Governors’ Cup.
So it somehow replicates Gomez de Liano’s time with the tailend of University of the Philippines’ dark ages in the UAAP and the aforementioned Cinderella run of Terrafirma.
Article continues after this advertisement
READ: PBA: Magnolia acquires Javi Gomez de Liano from Terrafirma
“[The Terrafirma situation] wasn’t a new situation for me because back in 2016 when I was part of the UP team that no one likes to play, being the underdog and not the crowd favorites,” Gomez de Liano said.
“I brought that same mindset to Terrafirma. We were always counted out, but we had [Coach Johnedel Cardel], Juami [Tiongson], Stephen [Holt] and the rest of the players who all wanted to prove to ourselves that we shouldn’t be counted out.
“True enough, we made the playoffs that year, and we had a lot of upsets against the big teams so I’m very proud of that. I learned a lot from that season. Actually, that’s the greatest season for me,” added Gomez de Liano, who also described that lineup as the “greatest Terrafirma team of all.”
The 27-year-old was acquired from Terrafirma, who owned his rights, in August and signed a three-year contract with Magnolia, putting stability to a career that had stops in Japan and South Korea. His time in the B.League and Korean Basketball League may also benefit the Hotshots in many ways.
“I feel like I could become a vet to the young ones, but at the same time keeping that rookie mindset in terms of learning from the veterans and try to pick up something new from them,” he said.