19 Feb 2024
    25 Feb 2025

    CJ Perez savors return to birthplace as Gilas face Hong Kong, China

    MANILA (Philippines) - CJ Perez came to a point where he wondered how things could have gone had he and his mother stayed in Hong Kong, China instead of flying back to the Philippines.

    MANILA (Philippines) - CJ Perez came to a point where he wondered how things could have gone had he and his mother stayed in Hong Kong, China instead of flying back to the Philippines.

    "Actually, when I was younger, and when we were really struggling, I could not help but wonder: What if my father was there," said the 30-year-old combo guard.

     

     

    Perez was born in Kowloon on November 17, 1993, to a Filipino mother and a Nigerian father, whom he, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to meet. Shortly after, his mom brought him back home and raised him in Bautista, Pangasinan.

    Not that he has any regret over it whatsoever, though. After all, the kid who grew up in poverty has emerged as one of the best players in the country today, having won championships and awards not just in the professional ranks but in the international scene as well.

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    A post shared by Cjay Perez (@cjayp7)

     

    In fact, Perez is beyond thankful for how everything turned out for him, for it helped shape who he is today: a two-time FIBA Basketball World Cup campaigner, an Asian Games gold medalist, and a two-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champion, among others.

    "I'm never going to blame anyone or any circumstance whatsoever. I'm extremely grateful that my mom met my dad. Had it not been for them, I would not be here," he said.

    "I wouldn't even possess these genes," he added with a smile. "I believe that things happen for a reason, and they all serve a purpose. They lead to blessings most of the time."

    That's why he's very much looking forward to flying back to his birthplace when the Philippine team commences its FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers campaign on February 22.

    "Although I didn't grew up there, I can't believe that I'm really about to play where I was born," said the 1.88M (6'2") swingman. "I'm really, really happy that I'll be playing there. "

    Perez and Gilas had already flown to the city ahead of their clash versus Hong Kong, China, and he expects a good turnout of Filipino fans at the Tsuen Wan Stadium to show support.

    Another thing that he's hoping for is to have the opportunity to spend some time with relatives that are still based in HK. "There are a lot of Filipinos in Hong Kong, China," he said.

    "Some of them are also from where I'm from, as well as my mom's friends from way back," he added. "Hopefully, I'd be able to hang out with them even just for a bit."

    But of course, it's not lost on Perez the task at hand, and that is to help Gilas win their first of two assignments in the upcoming opening window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers.

    He's now expected to be one of the team's leaders, given how seasoned he's become in the international stage. Although he has been involved with the seniors' team since 2016, it wasn't until three years later that he became a mainstay of the program.

    Still, Perez is never one to make it about himself, with his sights always set on the team - and on the continuity and sustainability that Gilas are targeting under new head coach Tim Cone, who steered the country to its first Asiad men's basketball title in 60-plus years.

    They all know that it is going to be a process, and that's why they look at Window 1 as a crucial step toward that goal. Thus, their aim as a collective to sweep both Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei, whom they will face at home on February 25 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

    "This should be a good start, if we win both of these games," offered Perez. "Because that would also help us build momentum heading into the next windows."

    The Philippines' path to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 begins in the Qualifiers, where they are situated in Group B with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong, China.

    The 24 Asia Cup Qualifiers teams are drawn into 6 groups of 4. Each team plays the other 3 teams on a home-and-away basis over 3 windows, with 2 games per window.

    The top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, making a total of 12 teams. The six 3rd-place teams from each group qualify to play in a final qualifying tournament. The top 4 teams from this competition will take the remaining spots of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.

    FIBA

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