MANILA – Javi Gomez de Liaño is set to don new colors in his PBA comeback, as Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots secured his rights in a trade with Terrafirma Dyip.
The deal, approved over the weekend, sent Gomez de Liaño to Magnolia in exchange for guard Jerrick Ahanmisi and the Dyip’s acquisition of a 2025 second-round draft pick.
The 6-foot-4 swingman was originally drafted eighth overall by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in 2022 after a stint with the Ibaraki Robots in Japan’s B.League.
However, he never played for the Gin Kings, as his rights were quickly shipped to Terrafirma in exchange for Jeremiah Gray.
Gomez de Liaño’s numbers surged in the 2023–24 campaign, putting up 16.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
That strong performance earned him a contract with the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters in the Korean Basketball League, where he normed just 8.4 points per game.
His arrival comes at a pivotal time for newly-appointed Hotshots head coach LA Tenorio, who recently saw William Navarro left for KBL’s Busan KCC Egis.
Prior to acquiring Gomez de Liaño, the Hotshots signed Ilonggo Juan Paolo Taha and renewed the contracts of Russell Escoto, Joseph Eriobu, and Peter Alfaro.
The Hotshots likewise released veteran center Rafael Reavis after 15 seasons with the team and Jed Mendoza, who is currently trying out with Blackwater Bossing.
Meanwhile, Ahanmisi moves on from the Hotshots after five seasons, ready to start a new chapter with Terrafirma and possibly gain more playing time./PN
