MANILA, Philippines – According to Juan Gomez de Liano, there is a strong sense of pride and gratitude after being invited to join the Gilas Pilipinas training pool. The Converge guard, who is still in the early stages of his PBA career, called the opportunity “an honor” and “a chance to fulfill a dream”. Since his time in college and his overseas missions, he has been striving for this chance.

At a crucial point in time, he is called up. Coach Tim Cone has extended an invitation to De Liano to join Gilas Pilipinas in practice as they prepare to compete in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Cone has stated that de Liano will have a real chance to compete for a spot in the final 12 despite the fact that his selection does not ensure that he will. He cites his skills as a ball-handler, scorer, and pick-and-roll playmaker.

For de Liano, the moment is significant not only professionally but also personally. He has spent years honing his skills, starting with his education at the University of the Philippines and continuing through his playing experiences in Korea, Lithuania, and Japan. His desire to play for the Philippine national team never wavered, despite the fact that those experiences helped shape his game. The gesture of Gilas’s invitation represents a return to one’s origins.

He admits that pressure is present. It is obvious that he understands that joining the Gilas pool means he will have to acquaint himself with a system that rewards his self-discipline, basketball IQ, and selfless performance. The question of whether you are a good fit for the bigger picture is more important than whether you are a talented person. Cone stated that he is ready to start “from scratch,” meaning he will become proficient in the offensive sets and defensive tactics that have defined Gilas over the years.

In contrast, De Liano sees this as a valuable chance for growth. The experience of being surrounded by the coaching staff and the seasoned veterans will challenge his skills and force him to perform better. He is confident in his capacity to contribute in a number of ways, such as supporting, defending, and making sensible choices under pressure. He sees this as more than a passing moment. It might be the start of a long-term role inside the national framework.

Gilas supporters, coaches, and teammates will be closely monitoring the action. De Liano’s career has been filled with highs and lows, but his recent performances in the Philippine Basketball Association have shown that he has truly matured and gained poise. It is not unexpected that Cone and the national team were able to identify him as a player who could cover strategic gaps. In instances where there is a lot of pressure and execution is crucial, his ability to perform pick-and-rolls while playing from the guard position is consistent with Gilas’ style of play.

Beyond the X’s and O’s, de Liano’s presence conveys that Gilas is making plans for the future. Apart from concentrating on the immediate future, the national team is also striving to create a core that can grow and adapt. De Liano is a huge advantage in achieving that long-term objective because of his youth, his experience living abroad, and his evident commitment to his work.

De Liano is currently preparing for practices, watching movies, and mentally preparing himself for the challenges that lie ahead, both intellectually and physically. He knows the road ahead will not be easy. Furthermore, he understands that being a part of Gilas means more than just getting praise; it also means assuming a feeling of accountability.

If he ends up on the final roster, it will be proof of his journey—from being a standout in college to being a rookie in the professional levels to potentially contributing to the national team in the future. But whether or not he ends up on the final roster, he views this call-up as a turning point in his life—an event that could impact the course of his basketball career going forward.

The betting dynamics of qualifying games might alter as a result of De Liano’s inclusion in the Gilas pool.