Juan Gomez de Liano made a dazzling preseason debut for Converge, igniting a late rally to lift the FiberXers past the Meralco Bolts, 109-103, in their tune-up game Thursday at the Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.
The prized rookie guard, picked second overall in the recent PBA Draft, delivered in crunch time—burying a clutch four-point play and a driving layup in the final two minutes—to complete Converge’s comeback from a 12-point deficit entering the fourth quarter.
“I work on those shots every day in practice, and I’m thankful Coach Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda and the staff trust me,” said Gomez de Liano. “I just want to contribute, produce, and play my game.”
The game marked his first official run with the FiberXers after signing a three-year deal last Saturday, the same day Converge lost to Rain or Shine, a game he sat out. Against Meralco, he finally had the chance to find his rhythm alongside fellow young standouts Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, Schonny Winston, and Alec Stockton—all of whom joined him on the floor during the decisive stretch.
“I feel like me, Schonny, Alec, Balti, and Justin played well together. We had good chemistry, made the right plays, and just trusted each other,” he added.
Meralco, missing key players Chris Newsome, Brandon Bates, and Bong Quinto, still controlled much of the game behind Chris Banchero, Raymond Almazan, Aaron Black, and CJ Cansino, but faltered late as Converge’s youth-powered surge stole the victory.