After an eventful year playing in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), Javi Gomez de Liaño may be on the verge of a return to the PBA. Insiders suggest the 6-foot-5 gunslinger is in talks to secure a new deal in the local league after his overseas stint was cut short.
Gomez de Liaño’s time with the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang was productive on the court, where he averaged 8.4 points on 41% three-point shooting and 2.7 rebounds. However, it ended in controversy. After receiving an invitation to play for the Strong Group Athletics in the Jones Cup, Anyang initially gave its blessing before having a change of heart. Gomez de Liaño played for the Philippine club anyway, helping them secure back-to-back titles. According to sources, this led the Korean side to report him as AWOL, resulting in a one-year ban from the KBL—a situation mirroring that of fellow Filipino player Rhenz Abando with the same team.
Despite his PBA rights still being held by Terrafirma, the reality of the situation points to a different path for Gomez de Liaño. The sweet-shooting forward is likely to seek out a team that can offer a more competitive salary and a clearer path to success than his former franchise. As such, his next destination will most likely be one of the league's financial powerhouses.
This makes him a prime target for a top-tier team with the capacity to pay premium salaries, such as an SMC team, an MVP team, or Converge. With his combination of size and shooting ability, Gomez de Liaño is an attractive asset for any team looking to bolster its roster. For the top teams, he represents a valuable piece that can immediately contribute to a championship run. For Gomez de Liaño himself, it's an opportunity to sign a more lucrative deal in a stable environment and re-establish himself as one of the top talents in the PBA.
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