Rookie CJ Perez proved that he’s a man of his word when he made true to his vow to give the best that he can to give his fellow Pangasinenses a good showing in the 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend, Friday night in Calasiao.
Though failing to reign triumphant in the Slam Dunk Contest, the young Columbian Dyip star still gave the home crowd a treat by unleashing his A-game in the Rookies-Sophomores All-Stars versus Juniors All-Stars match.
There, Perez poured a game-high 32 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter alone, along with eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He led the Rookies-Sophomores’ hijack from 10 points down en route to a pulsating 141-140 victory.
“First time ko tapos sinali ako sa Slam Dunk. Hindi man ako nanalo, it’s an honor na makasali sa Slam Dunk sa PBA kasi minsan-minsan lang mangyari yun,” expressed Perez, who ended up being in the top three of the Slam Dunk Competition.
“Tapos nanalo kami dito, yun talagang it’s an honor,” the product of Lyceum continued.
“Na-inspire lang ako maglaro kasi nga nandito ako sa hometown ko. Gusto ko [mag]pakita at ma-inspire ko sila.”
But for Perez, it was the act of charity that made him even more satisfied, more than providing a good show in front of his compatriots and his mother, who had also been a part of the sizable crowd in the venue.
Double V Productions, the promoter of the ASW in Calasiao, have pledged to donate a wheelchair to Alagang PBA Foundation in every dunk and three-pointer made in the Rookies-Sophomores versus Juniors game.
Thirty-four triples and 10 dunks were made, so Double V will be donating a total of 44 wheelchairs.
“Isa pa yun sa nasa isip ko. Lahat ng tira ko, yung mga dunks ko, siyempre para doon sa wheelchair na maibibigay sa [Alagang] PBA.”
