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The Ateneo Blue Eagles has secured the commitment of the combined fil-Italian guard Gabriel Gómez.
Gomez, 20, is one of the best Filipino players in Europe, having played for the Italy Proudly Pinoy Europe team at the NBTC last year alongside Chiolo Anonuevo.
Gomez is also a close friend of Gilas Pilipinas’ former junior floor general Dalph Panopio. The two played together in the Philippine recreational league Bologna Basketball Playground.
Gómez, who is ready to finish his university studies with a degree in tourism at ITET Aldo Capitini in Perugia, will complete a postgraduate degree in communications while playing for the Ateneo. Since he has not played college baseball, Gomez is eligible to dress for the Blue Eagles for at least the next four years.
The 6’0 point guard, who has his roots in Nasugbu, Batangas, said playing for the Ateneo was too good an opportunity to pass up.
“I decided because it has been a dream since I was a child. I always see Ateneo,” Gomez explained to reporters Monday afternoon. “When [Ateneo] He offered me, I did not think, I immediately accepted because only once such an opportunity. So I decided to go. “
Meanwhile, Blue Eagles mentor Tab Baldwin is excited to bring in a player of Gomez’s caliber. Aside from his ability to orchestrate the offense, Gomez is also a great perimeter shooter.
“In our program, we are always looking for guys of high character. Obviously he is an outstanding young man. His demeanor on the court, he can play the point, shooting guard, he is an outstanding shooter,” Baldwin said. “He has the European game, so that should easily translate into the system we want to play. He’s a smart young man.”
Gomez will join a stacked Ateneo team seeking the fourth consecutive UAAP title. He will play alongside Gian Mamuyac, Tyler Tio and SJ Belangel.
Although still in Italy, Gomez hopes to arrive in the Philippines soon and learn the Filipino style of basketball, which Panopio described as faster and more physical.
Gomez said citizenship will not become a problem since he has held a Philippine passport “since I was a child.”
