I've been following the PBA San Miguel Beermen's roster moves with particular interest this season, especially when I heard about Juan Gomez de Liaño's return to Philippine basketball. His statement about it being "the perfect time" after four years overseas really resonated with me. Having watched countless players transition between international and local leagues, I can confidently say that timing is everything in professional basketball. When I first saw Gomez de Liaño play during his UAAP days, I knew he had that special something – that raw talent that just needed the right environment to flourish. His overseas experience, as he mentioned, wasn't just about developing as a player but growing as a person too, and that personal growth often translates directly to court performance.
Looking at the current San Miguel lineup, I'm genuinely excited about what this team can achieve. The core group remains formidable – June Mar Fajardo, the six-time MVP, continues to be the anchor with his dominant presence in the paint. What many casual fans might not realize is how Fajardo's improved passing has elevated the entire offense. Last season, he averaged 3.2 assists per game, which might not sound groundbreaking until you consider it's nearly double his career average from five years ago. Then there's CJ Perez, whose explosive scoring ability never fails to amaze me. I've lost count of how many times I've seen him take over games single-handedly, dropping 30-point performances like they're routine. His defensive improvements have been remarkable too – he's averaging 2.1 steals this conference, putting him among the league leaders.
The backcourt combination of Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter brings that veteran stability every championship team needs. Ross, at 38 years old, still moves with that defensive intensity that made him a perennial All-Defensive Team member. I remember watching him lockdown import after import during the Commissioner's Cup, proving that age is just a number when you have basketball IQ. Lassiter's shooting remains elite – he's connecting on 42% of his three-point attempts this season, which is just insane consistency for someone in his fifteenth professional season. What I particularly admire about this San Miguel squad is how they've managed to blend experienced veterans with promising young talent.
The addition of Gomez de Liaño adds an interesting dimension to their guard rotation. Having watched his development from his college days at UP, I believe his overseas experience in Japan and other international leagues has prepared him perfectly for the PBA's physical style. He mentioned gaining valuable experience abroad, and I can see it in his decision-making – there's a maturity to his game that wasn't there before he left. His versatility allows coach Jorge Gallent to experiment with different lineup combinations, something I think we'll see more of as the season progresses.
Terrence Romeo, when healthy, remains one of the most electrifying scorers in the league. I've always been fascinated by his ability to create shots from nothing – that hesitation dribble into step-back jumper is practically unguardable. His averages of 18.3 points and 4.1 assists in limited minutes last conference demonstrate his offensive impact. Then there's Moala Tautuaa, whose physicality and improved mid-range game make him the perfect complement to Fajardo in the frontcourt. I've noticed how his defensive versatility has improved – he's capable of switching onto smaller players without getting exposed, a crucial skill in today's positionless basketball.
What really stands out to me about this San Miguel team is their depth. They can legitimately go ten-deep without significant drop-off, which is rare in the PBA. Players like Robbie Herndon and Allyn Bulanadi provide reliable wing depth, while Simon Enciso offers additional playmaking when needed. The way this roster is constructed reminds me of their historic 2019 team that won all three conferences – there's that same balance of star power and quality role players.
As the season progresses, I'm particularly interested in seeing how the minutes distribution shakes out. With so many talented players, managing egos and keeping everyone engaged could be coach Gallent's biggest challenge. But if there's one thing I've learned watching this franchise over the years, it's that they have a championship culture that helps players buy into their roles. The leadership from veterans like Fajardo and Ross creates an environment where younger players understand what's expected of them.
The current stats tell an interesting story – San Miguel is averaging 98.4 points per game while holding opponents to 91.7, that +6.7 point differential being among the league's best. Their three-point shooting at 36.2% as a team is solid, though I'd like to see them attempt more from deep given their personnel. Their rebounding numbers are typically dominant, averaging 48.3 boards per game, with Fajardo pulling down 12.1 of those himself.
Watching this team evolve throughout the season has been fascinating. There's a certain swagger about them that you only see in teams that know they're talented. The way they close out games – with that killer instinct to put teams away – separates them from most contenders. As Gomez de Liaño integrates into the system, I expect we'll see even more variety in their offensive sets. His perspective about returning at the perfect time after developing overseas might just be the x-factor that puts this team over the top. Personally, I think this San Miguel roster has all the ingredients for another championship run – the star power, the depth, the experience, and now, that fresh injection of internationally-tested talent.
Argentina World CupCopyrights