Juan Gomez de Liano believes the wealth of experience he gained overseas will help a great deal in his entry in the PBA as among the potential top choices of upcoming Rookie Draft.

“Growth-wise, honestly, I developed as a player and I was able to understand the game more,” Gomez de Liano said during Thursday’s Draft Combine at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The 25-year-old is finally taking his act back on home soil after spending the last four years playing in Japan, Lithuania and South Korea.

And that has also made him a strong candidate to be chosen by Terrafirma, which owns the No. 1 pick in Sunday’s proceedings set at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

“I think it’s the perfect time to join the PBA,” he said. “Playing overseas for four years, I’ve gained a lot of experience there. It’s like I use that time to make myself a more mature player.”

He made his pro debut back in 2022 in Japan’s B.League for Earthfriends Tokyo Z before suiting up for BC Wolves in Lithuania. Then he got his longest tenure on the international front when he spent two seasons in the Korean Basketball League for the Seoul SK Knights.

Gomez de Liano will get a chance to play in the said league as his older brother Javi, who was recently acquired by Magnolia and subsequently inking a three-year contract.

Javi’s rights was acquired from Terrafirma two weeks ago after playing a season in the KBL for Anyang.