The label of ‘first overall pick’ comes with the most honor, but also the most pressure for an upcoming rookie, particularly in an elite professional league like the Philippine Basketball Association.
There are only two destinations for that lucky player – the success of living up to the hype, or the failure to meet the expectation as the most anticipated rookie coming out of the amateur and collegiate ranks.
But CJ Perez – a Pangasinan warrior and this year’s projected top overall pick – does not care at all. Instead, he reassured that he is ready and excited to live up to his lofty billing.
“Sobrang excited. Siyempre, may pressure, automatic yan. Nakaka-pressure talaga maging first pick kasi maraming expectations diyan,” he said after participating in the Draft Combine on Wednesday afternoon at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.
“I-accept ko kung ano yung pressure na darating at kailangan ko mapaghandaan nang maayos.”
Since they hold the first pick, the struggling Columbian franchise has been vocal about getting the Lyceum of the Philippines University product, luring all eyes to the 6-foot-1 scrappy guard.
Columbian are fresh from an unacceptable 6-27 record last season; thus, they badly need a once-in-a-generation player – like Perez.
And Perez has all the credentials to be the exactly what Columbian ordered.
The 25-year-old is unarguably the best collegiate player coming in the PBA. Perez is a former Most Valuable Player in both the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the PBA Developmental League Aspirants’ Cup.
He failed to win a single championship in the NCAA, but atoned for it with titles in the D-League and the Philippine Collegiate Champions League, giving him the winning tradition that Columbian expects.
That same winning tradition only adds to Perez’s long list of intangibles on offer, such as tenacity, hardwork, IQ, athleticism, and all-around basketball game.
“Maio-offer ko sguro sa team na pupuntahan ko? Yung effort at hardwork; yung winning culture, winning attitude siguro,” he admitted.
“Siyempre gusto kong ma-contribute yung effort, yung dedication sa laro. Para manalo, yung winning attitude talaga yung dadalhin ko dun.”
And in addition to his goal of achieving his PBA dream, he also has a blessing in newborn baby Ciana Tanisha to make his pro-league bid nobler and more meaningful.
“Sobrang laki ng nadagdag na motivation.
“‘Di na lang yung family yung iniisip ko, may sarili na rin akong family. Nasa puso ko and isip ko na mag-push, lalo para sa kanila, kasi ‘di lang naman ‘to para sa akin – para rin sa kanila,” said Perez on his daughter, who was born just this December 10.
For now, though, all Perez wants is a rest following sleepless nights owing to his newest yet most beloved role as a father.
“’Di pako nakakatulog nang maayos.”
