BACOLOD - Terrafirma's young gun Javi Gomez de Lia?o relishes the opportunity to take a shot at the PBA Three-Point crown against the league's top pistoleros here.
"Excited because mabibigat ang mga kalaban, it's a loaded roster," the Dyip sophomore said ahead of Saturday's Three-Point Shootout Contest for Guards.
This year's PBA All-Star festivities is presented by Arena Plus.
De Lia?o is up against defending champion Paul Lee of Magnolia, two-time winner and Negros Occidental pride James Yap of Blackwater, last year's runner-up Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel, Alec Stockton of Converge, Chris Newsome of Meralco, Robbie Herndon of NLEX, Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort, Ken Tuffin of Phoenix, Andrei Caracut of Rain or Shine and Calvin Oftana of TNT.
"Everyone there actually is shooter talaga so as much as possible, sana mauna ako para less pressure. Pero whatever order, sa start man ako or sa end, just have to stay locked in and just not think about anything else, just shoot the ball," he said.
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To prepare, the former UP Fighting Maroon said he did his usual shooting routine after training and outside training.
"This week, I was able to get some extra shots because may rack din sa amin, eh; pina-practice ko din. But of course, it's not the same kasi limang rack iyun (in the contest). At least I have an idea how it will go," he said.
It also helps that De Lia?o has Dyip teammate Juami Tiongson, a finalist in last year's shootout, to seek pointers from.
"I also asked sila Juami, since sila iyung nag-three-point shootout last year, kung paano. This is actually my first experience joining a three-point shootout, baguhan lang din ako," he said. (OL)
