Javi Gomez De Liaño is officially back in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)—but not with Terrafirma.
The Dyip parted ways with their rights to the returning forward, sending him to the Magnolia Hotshots in a trade approved Friday by the PBA trade committee. In exchange, Terrafirma acquired sharpshooter Jerrick Ahanmisi and Magnolia’s second-round pick in the upcoming Sept. 7 draft.
With the move, Gomez De Liaño is set to suit up in Magnolia blue when the PBA kicks off its milestone 50th season on October 5.
The timing couldn’t be more crucial for Magnolia, which recently let William Navarro head to the Busan KCC Egis in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). Gomez De Liaño, who last played in the KBL for the Anyang JKJ Red Boosters, had been poised to re-sign until his stint with Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the Jones Cup triggered a contract dispute. That decision led to a one-year suspension from the KBL and eventually paved the way for his return home.
Standing at 6-foot-5, the versatile winger will now reunite with fellow SGA teammate Rhenz Abando—albeit on opposing sides—as he joins Magnolia under newly-appointed head coach LA Tenorio.
Meanwhile, Ahanmisi, who once led the league in four-point shooting during the Governors’ Cup, finds a new opportunity with Terrafirma. After seeing his minutes diminish last season, the move could give him the playing time and fresh start he’s been looking for, especially as Terrafirma’s stalled franchise sale to the Zamboanga Valientes means the Dyip remain in the PBA.