Add Javi Gomez de Liaño to the growing list of Filipino basketball players who are pursuing overseas careers in Japan.

Gomez de Liaño will join his brother Juan in the Land of the Rising Sun after signing with the Ibaraki Robots, a team that plays in the Japanese B. League.

Ibaraki, which has been promoted to the first division after multiple years in the second division, announced the signing on Monday, July 5.

The former UP Fighting Maroons guard followed the same career path of his younger brother Juan, who will reinforce Earth Friends Tokyo Z in the second division of the B. League.

A member of Gilas Pilipinas’ pool, Javi last played in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where he averaged 10.7 points on a 65% clip to go with 3 rebounds in the 3 games he saw action in.

Japan has emerged as a top destination for some of the best young players in the country since Thirdy Ravena signed with the San-En NeoPhoenix, becoming the first Filipino to land a contract in the B. League.

Ravena inked a new multi-year deal with San-En after completing his rookie season.

Another Ravena, the older Kiefer, is also seeking a career in Japan after signing with the Shiga Lakestars.

It is uncertain, though, whether Kiefer will be able to suit up for Shiga in the upcoming B. League season considering he still has a live contract with the PBA’s NLEX Road Warriors. – Rappler.com