Matapos pumirma ng kontrata sa Lithuanian professional basketball team na BC Wolves kamakailan, nais ni Filipino-Spanish playerJuan Gomez de Liaño na magbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga Pinoy na naghahangad na sumabak sa professional league, lalo na sa ibang bansa.
"It's really an honor, it’s a blessing. Honestly for me, I just want to inspire and pave the way for the upcoming Filipino hoopers that want to play professionally especially overseas," paglalahad ng 5'11" shooting guard na itinanghal na Most Valuable Player (MVP) sa nakaraang 2022 PBA D-League nang maglaro sa Marinerong Pilipino.
"I just want to give them hope and let them know they shouldn’t give up on their dreams no matter how hard life gets. Philippine hoopers, they just need the right exposure and the right opportunity. I feel like a lot of Filipinos have the heart, talent, drive, and passion for the game. I just want to inspire. It’s truly a blessing to take this next journey of mine," pagdidiin ni Gomez de Liaño, naging kakampi ni Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee sa koponang Mighty Sports sa Dubai International tournament noong 2019.
Si Gomez de Liaño ay kabilang lamang sa mga manlalarong Pinoy na sumusubok ng kanilang kapalaran sa ibang bansa.
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Ang ilang dating kasamahan nitong manlalaro ay matagal na ring sumasabak sa basketball league sa Japan, Korea, Taiwan, at Australia.
Aminado si Gomez de Liaño na matagal na niyang pangarap na maglaro sa Europe at ngayo'y natupad na, handa na siyang magpamalas ng kakayahan sa paglalaro."It’s always been a dream of mine to play in Europe knowing that I am dual citizen and I have a Spanish passport. I really want to take advantage of it, and as I said, it’s always been a dream of mine to play there," aniya.
"Now that I was given the opportunity, I will grab it and really just make the most out of my time there," anito.
Dati na ring naglaro si Gomez de Liaño saJapan B2 League team na Earthfriends Tokyo Z, gayunman, hindi ito masyadong ginagamit bilang Asian import kaya nagpasya na lang itong lisanin ang koponan kamakailan.
Naglaro rin si de Liaño sa UP Fighting Maroons kung saan dinala nito sa Finals ang koponan noong 2018.
"I feel like it’s the perfect time for me to step up my career and take it to Europe. I feel like I am more than ready," sabi pa nito.
