CJ Perez is nothing but grateful for what he and the Zark’s-Lyceum Jawbreakers have achieved recently in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup: becoming the first team in league history to enter the Finals as the sixth seed.
Perez and the Jawbreakers did it at the expense of the Renzo Subido-less Marinerong Pilipino Skippers, 102-89, in Game Two of their best-of-three semis series last April 19 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“We’re so grateful,” said Perez, who had 23 points in the win. “Na kahit na number six kami, ‘di kami sumuko na makaangat. Sana magtuloy-tuloy ‘tong pag-angat namin.
“Hindi magii-stop dito yung pag-grow namin as a team.”
Only a few expected that the school-based squad would go on to play in the Finals owing to their shaky conference. The Jawbreakers went through a string of losses that dropped them to the sixth seed, while key pieces Mike Nzeusseu and MJ Ayaay went down due to injuries.
But then, it was their resiliency through adversity that worked wonders, the Gilas cadet reflected.
“Actually yung pinanghihinaan ng loob, hindi pumapasok yun sa grupo namin eh,” the Pangasinense shared. “As in kahit matalo kami, manalo kami, parang, andun pa rin kami, desidido pa rin kami sa kung anong ginagawa namin.
“Habang ginagawa namin yung effort namin, ‘pag binigay namin lahat, hindi kami magsisisi sa mga laro namin.”
The Jawbreakers will be facing a tough Che’lu-San Sebastian Revellers in the championship in a best-of-three affair. All eyes will be on the said series to see how Zark’s-Lyceum will fare against Che’lu, who has D-League veterans in tow.
“For sure, sobrang tough nung game na yun pagdating ng Finals.
“‘Di naman nila ibibigay ng madali sa’min, and kami rin ‘di rin naman namin ibibigay ng madali. Pagbubutihin namin and paghahandaan namin ang Finals,” the 24-year-old shooting guard vowed.
Perez’ focus is indeed on the Finals alone, that he doesn’t mind the conference’s Most Valuable Player race even if he is the frontrunner with his averages of 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steals.
“Actually ‘di pumapasok sa utak ko yun eh,” expressed the reigning NCAA Seniors Basketball MVP.
“Pero grateful ako — dahil sa teammates ko yon, na nakarating kami sa ganitong sitwasyon.”
