basketball,
It took grit, guts, and grind but finally, after a decade, another MVP is in the midst of the Diliman community.
Juan Gerardo Sison Gomez de Liaño, phenom that he is, led the UPIS Junior Maroons to a more improved standing, 5-9, in UAAP Season 79. Despite falling two games short of reaching the final four, he still led the MVP race with 70.43 statistical points and posted outstanding numbers throughout the season. By averaging 19.1 points per game to go along with his 10.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per outing, he is also a shoo-in for the Mythical Five.
But before the King Junior Maroon claimed his throne, he was once a little dreamer.
Juan alongside his brothers used to watch along the sidelines of the hardcourt. They always went to the park to watch others play the game and at some point, they fell in love with it. They learned by first being spectators and acquiring some tips from their Daddy Bert Gomez de Liaño while their Tito Rainier Sison, who used to play for Air 21 in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and is a former Ateneo sharpshooter, was their first “teacher”.
But there’s one thing many don't know about this guy: he was a grade school swimming prospect who took home trophies and medals like it was nothing. When asked why he chose basketball over swimming he said, "Because I felt that I was better at it and it came naturally so I had to set aside my swimming. And mas fit sa akin to play ball kasi I prefer team sports."
For quite some time now, Juan has been the most sought-after baller in town. Schools everywhere have been courting him, but it doesn't matter now because the MVP has set his eyes on UP and has committed to stay with the Diliman community.
After Juan made his decision, no one is happier than Javi Gomez de Liaño, his big brother and one of the UP Men’s Basketball Team’s rookies. It will be a reunion for them as they will get to relive the days when they both played for the Junior Maroons. "It is one of our childhood dreams as kids and bros who've been wanting to play college basketball together. But Joe's in UST now. It feels good to be reunited again, like, this is what we've been working for. Plus it's a blessing too," Javi shared.
The sky’s the limit for Juan as he is now ready to take the seniors division by storm. He might just be the player we need to claim an elusive final four finish, and who knows, maybe with this rising phenom, the UP Fighting Maroons will finally take the throne. //by Jaggie Gregorio, Blade Saliva, Nathan Ramos and Julian Taloma
Sports: UP and Coming Superstar
It took grit, guts, and grind but finally, after a decade, another MVP is in the midst of the Diliman community.
Juan Gerardo Sison Gomez de Liaño, phenom that he is, led the UPIS Junior Maroons to a more improved standing, 5-9, in UAAP Season 79. Despite falling two games short of reaching the final four, he still led the MVP race with 70.43 statistical points and posted outstanding numbers throughout the season. By averaging 19.1 points per game to go along with his 10.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per outing, he is also a shoo-in for the Mythical Five.
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KING JUNIOR MAROON.
Juan Gomez
de Liano was crowned as the Most Valuable Player of Season 79 UAAP Juniors Basketball
Tournament. Photo Credit: spin.ph
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But before the King Junior Maroon claimed his throne, he was once a little dreamer.
Juan alongside his brothers used to watch along the sidelines of the hardcourt. They always went to the park to watch others play the game and at some point, they fell in love with it. They learned by first being spectators and acquiring some tips from their Daddy Bert Gomez de Liaño while their Tito Rainier Sison, who used to play for Air 21 in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and is a former Ateneo sharpshooter, was their first “teacher”.
But there’s one thing many don't know about this guy: he was a grade school swimming prospect who took home trophies and medals like it was nothing. When asked why he chose basketball over swimming he said, "Because I felt that I was better at it and it came naturally so I had to set aside my swimming. And mas fit sa akin to play ball kasi I prefer team sports."
For quite some time now, Juan has been the most sought-after baller in town. Schools everywhere have been courting him, but it doesn't matter now because the MVP has set his eyes on UP and has committed to stay with the Diliman community.
After Juan made his decision, no one is happier than Javi Gomez de Liaño, his big brother and one of the UP Men’s Basketball Team’s rookies. It will be a reunion for them as they will get to relive the days when they both played for the Junior Maroons. "It is one of our childhood dreams as kids and bros who've been wanting to play college basketball together. But Joe's in UST now. It feels good to be reunited again, like, this is what we've been working for. Plus it's a blessing too," Javi shared.
The sky’s the limit for Juan as he is now ready to take the seniors division by storm. He might just be the player we need to claim an elusive final four finish, and who knows, maybe with this rising phenom, the UP Fighting Maroons will finally take the throne. //by Jaggie Gregorio, Blade Saliva, Nathan Ramos and Julian Taloma
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