CJ PEREZ exudes not only savvy on the court, but with a remarkable work ethic.
The former Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirate is one of 48 aspirants in the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft who began to convince coaches and scouts in the Draft Combine on Wednesday at the Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.
Perez, the 6-foot-1 guard who was named Most Valuable Player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in Season 83, is considered one of the favorites to be picked first in the proceedings on Sunday at Robinsons Place Manila.
A native of Bautista, Pangasinan, Perez feels the excitement and pressure if ever he is picked No. 1.
“I’m very excited. But there is pressure and I need to face it,” Perez said. “There will be expectations and that’s why I need to prepare myself well.”
Possible No. 1 picks are journeyman Ray Parks Jr.and Robert Bolick of San Beda.
Columbian Dyip will again choose first. The cellar dweller in the PBA expectedly bagged Christian Standhardinger but sent the 6-foot-7 big man to San Miguel Beer in a controversial trade.
Blackwater will pick second, followed by Northport, Phoenix, Meralco, Rain or Shine, NLEX, Rain or Shine again, Alaska, Magnolia, Columbian Dyip and Phoenix.
All eyes were on Perez, Parks and Bolick in the Draft Combine, along with 6-foot-6 forward-center Abu Tratter of De La Salle, 6-foot-3 forward Javee Mocon of San Beda and 6-foot-2 do-it-all wingman Bong Quinto of Letran.
In the Draft Combine, the players were measured and interviewed and subjected to shooting drills, medical tests, five-on-five drills and other tests of athleticism.
Fresh from leading the fight for the Pirates in the NCAA Finals against the Red Lions, Perez packs the best credentials that could convince Columbian Dyip to pick him first.
But Perez said it won’t matter where he lands.
“I wish to perform the same winning culture and attitude with any team. I want to give the team the best I could offer,” he said.
After two failed tries against San Beda in the NCAA, Perez said his dream for a title could come in the PBA.
“Maybe I’ll win it in PBA. It’s a lot harder here but I’m giving my shot,” he said.
Only one of the 49 aspirants didn’t show up in the Draft Combine—University of the East forward RR de Leon missed the anthropometry tests and was automatically dropped from the draft list.
Surprisingly, other guys took the spotlight from the front-runners, with lesser-known recruits topping the measurement and biometric tests.
John Ragasa of Victoria Sports tallied the fastest time in the Shuttle Run with 21.97 seconds, while Far Eastern University’s Joe Trinidad got the 3/4 Court Sprint in just 3.25 seconds.
Reed-thin center Jeepy Faundo of University of Santo Tomas also registered the highest Vertical Leap with 33.29 inches and Ateneo forward Dan Wong got the Max Touch (Jump Height) with 39.19 inches.
But the one who turned the most heads was CJ Isit. The Mapua guard recorded the fastest time in Lane Agility with 11.2 seconds and notched an 84-percent result in the Reaction Test.
The Thursday session of the two-day Draft Combine will see players test their skills against one another with the conclusion of the mini-tournament.