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| Juan Gomez De Liano played like a starter for Gilas off the bench against New Zealand. Richard Esguerra (file photo) |
MANILA--Coach Tim Cone said that Juan Gomez De Liano may have earned enough to merit getting the start for Gilas Pilipinas on Sunday night against Australia.
Cone said that Gomez De Liano, back in the national team after four years, made an impression as one of the first guys off the bench despite Gilas' losing effort to New Zealand at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
"He was one of our best, if not the best player in our whole practice camp that we had in preparation, so we're not surprised by what he came out and did," Cone said.
"You just don't know what kind of lineup we're going to come with on Sunday. We could change the starting lineup. We could put Juan in to start off."
Gomez De Liano had 10 points, one rebound, and two assists in almost 15 minutes off the bench for Gilas on Thursday night.
Regardless of who really gets the start, Cone assured that Gomez De Liano will be part of the rotation in the long run as Gilas tries to qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
"He's going to be a mainstay on this team. He's going to get a lot more. Remember: this was his first game in front of a big crowd and a lot of pressure. He's going to get comfortable, and he's going to do a lot more than he just did (last Thursday)," Cone continued.
"He's a special talent."
Gilas will need a more solid game from Gomez De Liano if they want to pull a shocker against Australia on Sunday night.
