The PBA 50th Rookie Draft may have just seen two potential number 1 overall picks as elite guards Juan Gómez De Liaño and Dalph Panopio announced their draft applications.
JGDL Finally Comes Home After 4 Years
Former UP Fighting Maroon, Juan Gómez De Liaño, finally returns to the Philippines after his Asian import stints at Lithuania, South Korea and Japan.
The 25 year old from University of the Philippines won the UAAP Season 80 Rookie of the Year award and was named part of the Mythical Five during the following season last 2018.
Though he only reached the UAAP Finals once and didn’t win a title at all, he is considered one of the most successful Filipino Asian imports.
He first began his professional career at the Earthfriends Tokyo Z in the B2 League of Japan in 2021. After that, he was the 1st ever Asian import to play in Lithuania for the BC Wolves from 2022-23. Then, his last stop was in the Korean Basketball League when he suited up for the Seoul SK Knights from 2023 to 2025.
“Playing in the PBA has always been a dream of mine. Growing up here in the Philippines, I was raised on PBA games, watching the greats and hoping to follow in their footsteps one day,” Gomez de Liano told Tiebreaker Times.
“I’ve just been waiting for the right time — and I feel that time is now.” he added.
JDGL also joins his brother, Javi Gómez De Liaño, in the PBA who recently got traded to the Magnolia Hotshots in exchange for Jerrick Ahanmisi and the 2025 2nd Round pick.
“The four years I spent playing overseas helped me grow tremendously — not just as a player, but more importantly as a person. It really shaped my character and taught me a lot about life,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas guard previously head coached by Tab Baldwin.
“I’m just excited and grateful to begin this new chapter. Being home with my family and friends is something I really missed, and nothing compares to that feeling.”
Former Gilas Youth Standout, Dalph Panopio Returns to the Philippines
Once a Gilas Pilipinas Youth standout in the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship and 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in Greece, the now 25-year-old Dalph Panopio returns to his home soil.
The Filipino-Italian guard captured the interest of many Gilas fans when he joined Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and Carl Tamayo in the Gilas youth squad. The 6-foot-1 guard since then had been in the “fantasy lineups” of fans for the men’s senior national basketball team but it never really happened in real life.
Panopio was a product of CSU Bakersfield, a US NCAA Division 1 school and had his pro career playing in the INBL of India with Mumbai and posted averages of 14.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds.
“I’ve had NCAA Division I experience as well as professional stints overseas. I can play both guard spots. I know I can make an impact and I humbly wish to embrace Filipino basketball culture, which is, of course, in my blood.” he told Tiebreaker Times.
“Super excited! I’m going to give my all to whatever team picks me, and to Gilas if I’m honored to be called to serve again,” he added, acknowledging that his name has been in the wishlist of many Gilas fans.
Both Deserving for the #1 Overall Pick and A Win to Any Teams
Both guards are deserving to be selected as the Number 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft and it won’t be a surprise if their names get called one after the other.
Photo Credits: SEAG Network via Facebook
But looking at the draft order now, it seems that either that either JGDL or Dalph can be the #1 or #3 pick since the newly appointed Head Coach of Phoenix Fuel Masters, Willy Wilson, has voiced out his interest of drafting a big-man in the upcoming draft.
The Fuel Masters have the #2 overall pick and Head Coach Wilson already expressed that his team doesn’t lack talent but rather what they need is a big-man in their roster.
While the Terrafirma Dyip have an aging backcourt duo of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle, they can really help rejuvenate their franchise and pair their #1 overall pick to their upcoming star, Mark Nonoy, who has shown to be the team’s main man.
Meanwhile, the Blackwater Bossings can also go younger and fearless in the draft. Considering their previously #2 overall pick, Sedrick Barefield, is primarily known as a “shoot first, pass never” type of player, they can afford to have another “facilitator guard” for their squad.
Though, I won’t be totally surprised if either Juan and Dalph gets selected by both the Dyip and the Bossings…then a few seasons later we see them playing for any of the SMC teams and MVP teams.
But regardless of what franchise they go to, having them in the PBA just adds excitement to the fans as former Asian Players are now choosing to play in the Philippines again.
