Javier Gomez De Liaño and Juan Gomez De Liaño
THE Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards announced key additions to its team roster in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Joining the newest franchise in the MPBL, awarded last December 2019 by no less that league founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao, are former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons stars Juan Gomez De Liaño and Javier Gomez De Liaño.
In Juan Gomez De Liaño, the Rice Vanguards will have one of the best young point guards in the country and together with veteran Jai Reyes, the team will surely have one of the best point guard tandems in the next MPBL season.
Javier Gomez De Liaño, on the other hand, brings additional offense for the Rice Vanguards. He has proven to be one of the best shooting guards in the UAAP. He also brings additional athleticism and defensive prowess for the Nueva Ecija team.
The Rice Vanguards also acquired Renz Palma, a Novo Ecijano and a former PBA player with the Alaska Aces,
Palma has proven to be one of the best 2-3 players during his stint in the UAAP and the PBA. He is a high leaper and will surely bring excitement to Nueva Ecija fans.
Mayor Rianne Cuevas of Palayan City, meanwhile, has announced the construction of a new sports arena in Palayan City. Mayor Cuevas said that hundreds of fans travel to the different venues to watch the Rice Vanguard games. Thousands of Novo Ecijanos follow the team games.
“Its about time that Nueva Ecija has its on 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.
Coach Charles Tiu in an interview said that the acquisition of the the Gomez De Liaño brothers and Palma is just the beginning of a series of acquisitions in line with team owner’s commitment to Novo Ecijano fans to form a title contender team for the next MPBL season.