Himself a proud son of Pangasinan, CJ Perez is immensely excited to perform in front of his fellow Pangasinenses in the 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend in Calasiao.
The budding Columbian Dyip star will be busy on Friday’s festivities, as he will participate in the Slam Dunk Contest before playing for the Rookies-Sophomores team that will take on the seasoned Juniors squad.
“Sobrang happy and siyempre excited na makakapaglaro ako rito sa Pangasinan,” expressed Perez moments after the Rookies-Sophomores’ practice at the Calasiao Sports Complex.
Of the two events he’s in, Perez admitted that it is the Slam Dunk Contest where he will be challenged.
Perez will go up against NorthPort’s Lervin Flores, Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome, and last year’s finalists Renz Palma of Blackwater Elite and Phoenix’s Rey Guevarra, the defending titlist.
“Yung mga kalaban mo, lalo sina Papa Rey ‘di ba, yung mga between-the-legs niya, sina Newsome highflyer,” said the 6-foot-2 guard.
“Challenge para sa’kin kasi ako lang naman mababa tumalon dun.”
Asked if he has some things in store for the contest, Perez said that he’ll simply do the dunks that he usually does.
“Siguro gagawin ko yung mga normal na ginagawa ko na lang. Yun lang siguro baon ko,” the 25-year-old said. “Mahirap nga kasi yung Slam Dunk pero ibibigay ko yung best ko.
“For sure naman lahat ng tao susuportahan kami.”
But as lowkey as he may sound about the Dunk contest, that same can’t be said when he was asked about how the Rookies-Sophomores versus Juniors game will go along.
Perez will be playing along with Jeron Teng, Mark Tallo, Robert Bolick, Abu Tratter, Jason Perkins, Paul Desiderio, Trevis Jackson, Rey Nambatac, Javee Mocon, and Robbie Herndon.
“Maghanda na yung mga Juniors. Mapapalaban talaga sila.”
