De Liaños to play for Nueva Ecija Vanguards

Brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, will no longer play for the University of the Philippines this coming University Athletic Association of the Philippines season as the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards acquired the two to play in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguard coach Charles Tiu said the hiring of the Gomez De Liano brothers is just the beginning of a series of acquisitions in line with the team‘s commitment to Novo Ecijano fans to form a title contender or a championship basketball team for the next MPBL Season. Chemistry will also not be an issue as coach Tiu also handled Juan and Javi, who played and won the championship for the Mighty Sports Philippines team in the recently concluded 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship.

Apart from the Gomez de Liaño siblings, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards also acquired a Novo Ecijano and former PBA player Renz Palma, who recently played for Alaska team. A high leaper, Palma has proven to be one of the best 2-3 players during his stint in the UAAP and the PBA. 

Tiu said, with Juan GDL and veteran Jai Reyes, the Vanguards will surely have one of the best point guard tandems in the next MPBL season.

Javi, on the other hand, brings additional offense for the Rice Vanguards. Javier GDL has proven to be one of the best shooting guards in the UAAP. He also brings additional athleticism and defensive prowess to the Nueva Ecija team.

Earlier, Mayor Rianne Cuevas of Palayan City has announced the construction of a new sports arena in Palayan City that will serve as the home court of the Rice Vanguards. 

“It’s about time that Nueva Ecija had its own arena to host tournaments like the MPBL and at the same time showcase the beauty of our province to cities and provinces who will play in our sports Arena. At the same time, our thousand of basketball fans will not have to travel five hours to watch games of our home team the Rice Vanguards,” Mayor Cuevas said.