Javi GDL joins brother in Japan B.League, signs with Ibaraki Robots

Another Filipino cager is off to Japan.

The Ibaraki Robots announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with Javi Gomez de Liaño, who will power them in the 2021-2022 season of the Japan B. League.

"We are pleased to announce that Ibaraki Robots has reached an agreement with Javier Gomez de Riano in the B.LEAGUE 2021-22 season," said the team in a tweet.

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— ?????? (@ibarakirobots) July 5, 2021

Javi will join his younger brother and fellow University of the Philippine product Juan Gomez de Liaño along with the brother duo of Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena on the list of Filipinos who have signed contracts to play in the B.League.

Thirdy is set to begin his second year with the San-En NeoPhoenix while Kiefer was recently included in the Shiga Lakestars lineup for the season, though he is still contracted to the PBA.

Juan, meanwhile, will see action for Earthfriends Tokyo Z in the Japan B.League Division 2.

Javi's team, the Robots, played the previous season in the B2, but will compete iin the B1 in the upcoming 2021-2022 season.

Javi recently saw action for Gilas Pilipinas in multiple windows in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, including the most recent one in Clark where the nationals swept the tilt at 3-0.

The versatile forward posted averages of 10.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in three games he played in the qualifying tournament. 

The 22-year-old cager, however, was dropped from the roster that competed in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament where the Philippines finished at 0-2.

In a tweet, Javi GDL expressed excitement as he starts his professional career in the Land of the Rising Sun, which pretty much emerged as a top option for Filipino cagers now.

"Can't wait to start my professional career with @Ibarakirobots," he said.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News