CJ Perez isn’t sulking over his ‘did not play’ status during Gilas Pilipinas’ opening game in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 last Friday against the Dominican Republic.
“Siyempre sila coach, they are just trying to protect me,” he told ABS-CBN Sports on Saturday evening.
Why would he sulk? Redemption is on his mind.
Exactly 1,456 days ago, Perez – who was still in his rookie year in the PBA – found himself in the game of his life against Angola in China.
The do-it-all 6-foot-2 guard from Bautista, Pangasinan, had an outstanding performance in the first 39 minutes of the game, accumulating 17 points.
He also had a chance to secure a Gilas victory in the closing moments of regulation.
However, fate had other plans. His three-point attempt, that was on target, ended up missing – sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, Angola dominated, ultimately clinching an 84-81 victory.
“For me, hanggang ngayon, pinapanood ko pa rin yung game na yun kasi memorable sa akin yun,” Perez recalled.
“Yun yung pinaka magandang laro ko sa career ko.
“Minsan pag wala akong kumpyansa, pinapanood ko sa Youtube yung mga highlights ko para bumalik ang kumpyansa ko,” he continued.
At 8:00 p.m. tonight, he gets to face his nemesis.
This time around, he aims to conquer the ghost that has haunted him for the past four years.
“Hindi na about sa extra work. Focus na lang sa laro and yung mindset so goal talaga namin yung iniisip ko.”
