B. League Pinoy cast complete as Javi GDL, Matt Aquino finally debut

After a long wait, the Japan B. League Filipino cast was finally completed as Gilas Pilipinas prospect Javi Gomez de Liaño cleared his requirements and suited up for the Ibaraki Robots in a 72-90 blowout loss to the Osaka Evessa on Saturday, November 6.

Javi, the elder brother of Division 2 import Juan Gomez de Liaño, made an immediate impact in his first minutes on the floor as he drilled a quick three for his first career points as a pro baller.

However, that would ultimately be his only field goal for the rest of the game as he finished with 3 points on 1-of-4 shooting in 13 minutes off the bench.

Osaka made light work of Ibaraki after a 13-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter to run away with a blowout finish for their fourth win in 10 games. On the other hand, the listless Robots dropped to a 1-9 record heading to their Sunday rematch.

Meanwhile, Matthew Aquino finally made his long-awaited B. League debut for the Shinshu Brave Warriors as they dominated the Akita Northern Happinets, 76-51.

The Fil-Japanese big man Aquino, who is listed as a local, came up with 2 points and 2 rebounds in just 2 minutes and 27 seconds of action for the Brave Warriors in the victory.

Aquino, the son of PBA legend Marlou Aquino, has Japanese lineage on his mother’s side. – with a report from Martin Mendoza/Rappler.com