MANILA, Philippines—Juan Gomez de Liaño on Sunday night vowed at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City that he will work for a strong return in the next conference after Converge FiberXers absorbed a 99-98 overtime loss to Barangay Ginebra that ended their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal campaign and their bid for a semifinals berth.
Gomez de Liaño and Converge entered the quarterfinals with a chance to advance to the Philippine Cup semifinals, where four teams will compete for a spot in the finals series.
Barangay Ginebra claimed the narrow overtime win that eliminated Converge from the conference and extended Ginebra’s run in the Philippine Cup playoffs.
Gomez de Liaño acknowledged the result after the game and said he would use the experience to prepare for future PBA tournaments.
The Converge guard also said he aimed to improve his performance in the next conference after the single-point loss that ended the FiberXers’ campaign.
The PBA scheduled the quarterfinal matchup between Converge and Barangay Ginebra as part of the Philippine Cup playoff bracket that determines the four semifinalists.
League officials recorded Sunday’s result as Converge’s final game of the conference and confirmed Barangay Ginebra’s progression in the Philippine Cup.
Gomez de Liaño, who played his first full Philippine Cup campaign with Converge, finished the quarterfinal run with increased minutes and responsibilities in the FiberXers’ rotation.