University of the Philippines coach Bo Perasol believes that playmaker Juan Gomez de Liano would become a better player after his stint with the Mighty Sports in the tough Dubai International Basketball Tournament slated Feb. 1 to 9.
“I personally know the strength of the competition there. I am sure that Juan will gain tremendously from that Dubai tournament,” said Perasol of his veteran guard, who made heads turn during the team’s Final Four duel with Adamson in the UAAP.
“I am sure that whatever experience Juan will gain from the Dubai tournament he will share to his teammates,” added Perasol.
Together with Paul Desiderio, the UP Maroons beat the twice-to-beat Falcons in the semis to advance to the Finals for the first time in 32 years.
Mighty Sports team owner Alex Wongchuking, however, cautioned the local players of the team backed by Go For Gold, Healthcube and Oriental Group not to be overwhelmed of having former LA Lakers star Lamar Odom and Ginebra resident import Justine Brownlee as teammates.
“They have to remember that we have chosen them because of their talents and we believe they can help the team. Huwag silang magpa star-struck,” said Wongchuking. “It is also our own way of helping prepare Juan for the coming UAAP season.”
Aside from De Liano, other local players of the team with practically no experience playing abroad are La Salle’s Santi Santillan and College of St. Benilde’s Justin Gutang.
Coach Charles Tiu has also tapped former PBA players Joseph Yeo, Gab Banal and Jett Manuel and a pair of Fil-Am players in Jeremiah Gray and Roosevelt Adams to beef up a team that won only one game in its maiden campaign in the annual tournament two years ago.
Aside from the reigning champion Coastal Star of Tunisia, also taking part in the event are three teams which are taking part in a top-tier tournament in Lebanon and the national team of Jordan.
Tiu will have veteran coach Jong Uichico as one of his assistants.
“I am glad that Jong was given the clearance to join me in the team. He will be a huge help because he can provide us with a lot of insights,” said Tiu. “I will meet him soon to start planning.”
