Two years ago, during his Premier Cup debut with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, CJ Perez was afraid that he had already been forgotten among basketball fans. However, his fear only grew after he failed to meet Ateneo’s academic quota during the off-season that forced him to sit out another year.
After three years, the 6-foot-2 student-athlete finally made his return to the big league against the JRU Heavy Bombers on Tuesday afternoon. And he made sure to make the game his own welcome back party.
The 23-year-old was all over the court, slashing through the lanes, soaring over taller players for the rebound, dishing out assists, and even diving for loose balls. After all the carnage he unleashed, he tallied 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
“Hindi ko naman inexpect na ganun lalaruin ko. Kaso ang dami ko rin turnovers kanina. Siguro, magandang welcome back na lang ito sa akin,” Perez said after Lyceum’s 96-75 win.
“Ang sarap talaga maglaro sa NC!”
And with three years worth of hype over his shoulders, the native of Bautista, Pangasinan is feeling it, especially after leading the Pirates to the best off-season they have had in years. Perez is the first to admit that basketball is not an individual sport and it will take a collective effort to topple the mighty San Beda Red Lions.
“Sobrang laki ng expectation nila sa akin, kinabahan nga ako dahil dun.
“Pero yung buong team naman nagdadala sa amin, mas lalo na sa depensa. Kung maging consistent kami, malayo ang mararating namin,” he added. “Maganda yung tinatakbo ng team namin. Yung samahan namin, hindi naman sa close kaming lahat, pero focused kaming lahat. Yun yung nagdidikit sa amin.”
Finally, CJ Perez can make up for lost time.
