CJ Perez feels extremely satisfied to have finally secured a victory over long-time on-court rival – yet good pal – Robert Bolick.
The 27-year-old got one over his contemporary when San Miguel Beer ended NorthPort’s run in the 2021 Honda PBA Philippine Cup. They scored a 100-95 win in Game Two of their best-of-three quarterfinal series, Thursday.
One can’t blame the 2019 Rookie of the Year for feeling that way. Bolick had broken his heart in the past, especially in college when San Beda swept Lyceum in the NCAA Finals – both in Seasons 93 and 94.
“Unang-una kong bawi kay Robert ngayon, so maraming salamat Robert at napagbigyan mo ‘ko,” quipped Perez after the match.
What makes his first win over Bolick so much sweeter is that it brought him to his first-ever trip to the semifinals, where SMB will battle TNT.
“Sobrang excited kasi first semis ko ‘to. Nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng family ko – wife ko, anak ko, and sa mama ko. Nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta nila,” said the former no. 1 pick.
“Sobrang excited ako.”
Turning serious, Perez said that containing Bolick was an objective of the Beermen. And it worked, since the 26-year-old guard shot a dismal 6-of-18 from the floor, finishing with 12 markers.
He collected 14 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals, though, but committed six turnovers – the most he had this conference.
“Siyempre sobrang respect namin kay Robert kaya ganun ‘yung depensa namin sa kanya. Kilala naman natin si Robert kung paano siya maglaro, kaya kailangan naming gawin ‘yung best effort para depensahan siya,” he said.
“Siyempre quarters to, ‘di mo malalaman kung anong gagawin niya, kaya respect kay Robert,” added Perez.
Still, Perez remains proud of Bolick, who’s in his first season back from an ACL injury he suffered during their rookie year back in 2019.
Photo by PBA Images
“Sobrang happy ako na nakarating ako rito. Sobrang happy rin ako kay Robert na maganda ‘yung nilaro niya.”
