Two lifelong friends are poised to break through for their alma mater UPIS in Sunday’s PBA Rookie Draft.
In the history of the PBA, only a handful of its players have come from UPIS. The best one, so far, is Paolo Mendoza, the prodigious scorer who once dropped 69 points in a UAAP juniors game and went on to play 11 solid seasons in the pros. There are also Marvin Cruz, Diego Dario, and Javi Gomez de Liaño.
The list pretty much ends there. The UPIS basketball program’s sole highlight is a UAAP championship in 2002 by a team led by Cruz, followed by a few Final Four appearances. Otherwise, the well has been pretty dry. UPIS players have gone on to play at the college level, but only a handful have ever made it to the upper echelon.
Sunday, though, could mark a milestone in the state-run school’s basketball history as two of its alumni are poised to be picked in the first round of the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft. Former UPIS players Juan Gomez de Liaño and Will Gozum are both highly rated in this year’s deep rookie pool. If the experts are correct, they are poised to make history for their alma mater as the first pair to join the PBA in the same rookie batch.
“Very big, because UPIS and UP itself, they prioritize their studies a lot,” Gomez de Liaño told The GAME during a break in the Rookie Combine. “It’s nice to see that we could also excel in sports in a way.
“There’s a lot of pride coming from UPIS. It’s kind of like a big deal for us, especially now we’re here in the big leagues. It’s a great feeling, honestly.”
Juan and Will were teammates on the Junior Fighting Maroons and eventually on the senior team as well. They were both on the UP team that broke a 21-year Final Four drought in 2018. Gozum eventually transferred to the CSB Blazers, where he was named NCAA Finals MVP last year.
“We basically grew up together,” Juan said of his friendship with Migs. “Our families are pretty close. My family, also my siblings. Now we’re here, it’s nice to see his growth, not just as a player, but as a person as well. And to see his maturity throughout the years.
“He paved the way and made a name for himself, so I’m honestly happy for him. It’s nice to be here along with him. I wish him all the best.”
Gozum cherishes his friendship with Gomez de Liaño.
“More than 10 years na kami magkakilala ni Juan. On and off the court naman talagang close kami. Minsan, sa amin lang akong nutulog yan eh. Kasama ko siya pag naglalaro kami ngayon ng mga video games sa PlayStation.”
Although technically Gozum didn’t graduate from UPIS (he eventually transferred to Malayan High Shcool before returning to UP for college), he is still proud of his UPIS roots and said it would be an honor to be part of the group of UPIS alumni to make it to the PBA.
“It’s an honor for me na masama doon,” he told The GAME in an exclusive interview. “Ayun talaga yung goal ko as a professional basketball player na kahit paano makilala rin yung school ko. So happy ako na andyan din kasama ko si Juan, especially.”
Juan, himself a projected top-five pick, thinks his friend will go off the board very quickly.
“He’s for sure, top 2 or even 1. Great guy, he has the height and the length. That’s my guy.”
Gozum smiled nervously when asked about his prospects.
“Daming rumors na umano sa akin na top pick daw. But, for me, hindi naman umano sa ulo ko yun eh. Focus lang ako on the goal, focus on what I can control, and focus sa present time.”
Gomez de Liaño said it would be an honor to join the ranks of his high school coach.
“Coach Paolo, he became my coach for a year. He taught me a lot of lessons. He’s a shooter, so he taught me a lot. Great shooter, great player. And a great coach as well. That’s my guy, Paolo Mendoza.”
Between the two, Juan’s body of work seems more extensive, given that he started playing overseas while Will was still playing in the NCAA. A shifty, lefty guard, he could be one of the very few players in this draft class who can contribute right away.
“I just keep my faith and just put in the work. That’s where I get my confidence. I don’t see it as pressure, honestly.
“I spent about five years overseas. Pretty much just a lot of experience I gained there. I developed a lot, not just as a player, but as a person as well. I kind of got used to it.
“Now, I’m 25. I felt like it was the right time. I feel like I’m ready for the PBA.”
Banner Images from the PBA Media Bureau