Though he was able to cop a Most Valuable Player plum during his two-year stay in Lyceum, CJ Perez never bagged the big one.
But even if he and MJ Ayaay are no longer part of the team, Perez believes that this batch of Pirates will be something special.
“Yung team nila ngayon sobrang talented, very special kaya kailangan lang nila yung chemistry pa,” said Perez, as the Pirates will feature a lot of former ex-Stags this season.
“Hindi naman nagbabago yung sistema ni coach Topex [Robinson] kaya sana makuha na nila yung championship.”
On paper, the Pirates are a much-deeper bunch this time around with the addition of transferees Jayson David, Enzo Navarro, and Jerwyn Guinto.
However, Perez still sees the same problem that has plagued the squad for the last two years — big man depth.
“Actually, kulang sa bigs pa rin e.
“Yun yung issue pa rin naman last two seasons pero kumpleto yung guards — parang security agency na nga e,” opined Perez as Mike Nzeusseu, who is still recovering from an injured finger, will be playing heavy minutes once more at the five.
Still, just like what they have done the last two years, Perez knows that Lyceum will overcome. But in order to get them over the hump, the first overall pick in the 2018 PBA Draft believes that the Pirates need to have a better finishing kick.
“Killer instinct talaga e. Meron kami nun dati pero bitin pa. Nakita niyo naman diba?
“And hindi naman nawawala yung winning culture na binuild namin. Alam ko dun sila mabubuhay. Basta kailangan mag-stick lang sila sa sistema,” he shared.
