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Javi Gomez De Liaño 'open' to making UP return in 2021

Javi Gomez De Liano is focusing on Gilas Men for the meantime, but he is open to making a UP return next year. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MAKATI--Javi Gomez De Liano made some noise on Tuesday when he announced that he will sit out UAAP Season 83 this year.

The six-foot-five UP winger admitted two nights later that his parents were not initially approved of his decision.

"My parents were sad because they wanted me to play this year, but eventually they just supported me. They realized I needed to do what's best for me," Gomez De Liano said during the homecoming party of Mighty Sports at the MilkyWay Cafe here.

He is part of the team that won the Dubai International Basketball Championship along with younger brother Juan, who also announced that he too will sit out the UAAP cagefest beginning this September.

Javi Gomez De Liano then expressed happiness that his friends also supported him of his decision not to play for the Fighting Maroons this year.

"Just seeing my friends and the people I'm close to also... of course, they're sad because they all wanna see me play in my last year, but eventually, they're just gonna support me whatever decision I make," he further said.

UP's team management also respected his decision to skip UAAP Season 83, and Gomez De Liano is happy about it.

"I'm really grateful for our management sa UP. Everyone there accepted my decision," he quipped.

In fact, he bared, "They told me I'm welcome any time if I wanna play for Season 84. I'm keeping that open."

The openness, however, will depend on how his schooling will go as he is set to graduate academically from UP by next year.

"My priority right now is finishing first. I can't really make a decision about going pro or whatever until 2021 'coz I have one more year of study, so I'm gonna finish it up muna," Gomez De Liano added.

For the meantime, according to him: "I'll focus full time with Gilas."

Gomez De Liano further said that he is liking his current workload.

"Everything fits my schedule naman eh, from Gilas to acads, so no problem," he further told.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno