CJ Perez as a San Miguel Beermen player and as a Gilas Pilipinas player are two different personalities.
With San Miguel, the 6-foot-2 winger is known as a scorer, capable of delivering big games at any moment.
But ahead of Window 2 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Perez has embraced a different role — serving as a backup point guard and defensive stopper for the national team.
In fact, in his previous outings with the senior team, Perez averaged just 7.0 points, with his best showing coming in the 2019 World Cup, where he averaged 12.6 points.
Against New Zealand on Thursday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Perez reminded everyone that he can still be a lethal scorer on the international stage, dropping 10 points in a fiery start for Gilas.
“Depensa talaga, ‘yun talaga ‘yung dinikdik niya sa utak namin,” said the three-time PBA scoring champion.
“I think actually wala ako sa scouting nila. But ang ano ko doon is dumepensa, ‘yun ‘yung role ko ngayong araw. Nagkaroon [lang] ng bonus na nakaka-iskor ako.”
Foul trouble eventually slowed Perez’s scoring spree, but he still finished with 15 points.
Unfortunately, the Philippines suffered a heartbreaking 69-66 loss to New Zealand — their first defeat in the qualifiers.
“We’re grateful na lumaban kami and ‘yun nga dalawang possession lang. For sure sa next game i-co-correct namin ‘yung mistakes namin, lalo na sa last quarter. I think worth it naman, pero nakulangan lang ng konti. But we’re happy na na-execute namin ‘yung depensa namin,” Perez added, who got the nod to start over Scottie Thompson.
“Anytime, kahit saan naman ako ilagay, I’m ready to play and gagawin ko lagi ‘yung best ko para sa bayan.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game against Australia, Perez and the team will bring the same physical yet clean defense they displayed against New Zealand.
“Actually, kilala naman natin sila. Ilang beses na namin nakalaban yung New Zealand, and alam namin na pisikal talaga sila maglaro. Naghanda naman kami doon,” he said.
“Every time na practice namin, sinasabi ni Coach Tim (Cone) na ‘yung physicality nandiyan.”
