UAAP: Gomez de Lianos leaving UP to play for Nueva Ecija in MPBL

It will be the end of an era for the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP as Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano will both skip the next season of the collegiate wars to play in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

According to an online report citing Nueva Ecija head coach Charles Tiu, the GDL brothers will banner the Rice Vanguards for the next Chooks-to-Go MPBL season.

Tiu also stated via the source that signing the two are just part of a series of moves as the team continues to rebuild to become an even more formidable team that can contend for the playoffs.

The Rice Vanguards finished with only a 10-20 record in the 2019-2020 MPBL Lakan season, missing the post-season while being 22nd overall among 31 teams.

They were led by former pros Jai Reyes and James Martinez, as well as Andrian Celada, Marlon Monte, Jimbo Aquino, and Ken Acibar.

Nueva Ecija is also reportedly bringing in Renz Palma, a former UAAP player with PBA experience. They will also retain Reyes for a solid backcourt rotation.