Only a few Ateneans had the chance to see CJ Perez don the school’s blue and white.
Reports circulated early this month that seven players from the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team have been deemed ineligible for the squad’s UAAP Season 79 campaign due to academic deficiencies. Transferee from San Sebastian CJ Perez was one of the names released.
The Pangasinan-native was spectacular in his first of two outings in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup in tallying eight points and eight rebounds in just 12 minutes of game time.
Perez though was no longer in the team’s lineup after the Blue Eagles’ fourth game for the tournament.
According to sources closely monitoring the situation, Perez has left Loyola Heights to go to the Lyceum University of the Philippines. If true, this move will reunite him with his former head coach Topex Robinson.
After Lyceum’s last game in the tournament Thursday afternoon, Robinson shared that he was still in contact with his former player even when he was on the other side. “Even when he was in Ateneo we still talk, we still call each other up so fingers-crossed,” the mentor shared.
Robinson though emphasized that the 22-year-old swingman has yet to step foot in Intramuros. “Again, I hope that the basketball gods will be good to me,” he said. “As of now, it’s until I see him in Intramuros, and not in Katipunan, that’s the only time I’ll comment.”
During his sophomore year in San Sebastian, Perez averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists and, together with Robinson, almost led the Stags to a Final Four berth during the NCAA’s 89th season.
If the move pushes through, Perez can potentially ignite a positive effect on the school’s basketball program according to Robinson. “Sino bang may ayaw kay CJ, he’s a born winner. Any team na makukuha siya would really get a big boost, not just to the team, but to the whole program,” he closed.
“So hopefully he’s gonna be a Pirate soon.”
Perez will have to sit-out a year in residency once more if the transfer has been made final. The 22 year old did not play a single UAAP game due to residency.
