Juan Gomez de Liaño thrilled to play at home with KBL team

Juan Gomez de Liaño is thrilled to see action at home.

The 24-year-old guard is back in the Philippines as the Seoul SK Knights play against the Meralco Bolts in the ongoing East Asia Super League (EASL) season tonight, Dec. 27, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

This will be Gomez de Liaño’s first game at home since last playing in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirant’s Cup.

He signed up with the said Korean Basketball League (KBL) team midway this year after his European stint with a Lithuanian club squad.

Gomez de Liaño first pursued a professional career overseas in Japan in 2021 before going back home for a brief period.

The 6-foot-1 Filipino import is excited to play in front of the local crowd again as Seoul and Meralco vie for their second win in four games.

“I’m just grateful to be here, be home. We have a game. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends. Just happy to be back honestly,” Gomez de Liaño said.

“Except the traffic, [I missed] everything: food, my friends, my family, the people, of course,” he said.

“The weather, it’s too hot out here. I’m just truly grateful for this opportunity to play in front of my people and to represent SK Knight. I’m just excited for the game.”

Last year’s finalists Knights, meanwhile, are currently third in the standings of the ongoing 2023-24 KBL season with a 16-8 win-loss tally.