Filipino import said he is looking forward to a long stint not just as an import in the Lithuanian Basketball League, but also as a professional basketball player.
He talked about his long-term plan after scoring a near triple-double of 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in the BC Wolves’ 98-83 win over BC Pieno žvaigždes in an exhibition game, while the league is on a break over the weekend.
He joined five other Wolves in double figures in a balanced offensive system typical of European basketball. French import Hugo Invernizzi top-scored with 18 points.
“I was really excited about this (playing in Europe). It’s a great opportunity. Now that it’s here, I just have to keep going and push harder,” said Liaño in the club interview posted on its official social media page.
“My goal is longevity. I want to play basketball for as long as I can. Especially now that I’m here in Europe, with an amazing team. I just wanna be here for a long time, make a living out here and prove that I can play at such a high level (of basketball),” he said.
The former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon signed a one-year deal with the Wolves in October, becoming the first Filipino to see action in a European basketball league.
He played only six minutes in his debut with the team’s 95-70 victory against Labas Gas Prienai at the 7th Citadele King Mindaugas Cup last Oct. 26. He failed to score a single basket but grabbed four rebounds.
The 12-team league resumes on Nov. 19 and Liaño will have a chance to log his first official statistics when the Wolves, which tote a 5-3 win-loss card, host the BC Prienai on Nov. 21 at the Alytus Arena.