Gilas Pilipinas guard CJ Perez through the Nationals’ sendoff sport towards the Macau Black Bears forward of the Fiba Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas appeared like a deer in headlights to start out its exhibition sport towards the Macau Black Bears Friday evening.
Down massive coming into the third quarter, that’s when CJ Perez got here in and altered the complexion of the sport.
READ: Gilas rallies to victory in sendoff sport forward of Fiba Asia Cup
CJ Perez, who stepped up as Gilas Pilipinas’ spark plug within the second half talks concerning the squad’s gritty win over Macau. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/8L3XkFSrcq
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) July 28, 2025
“Coach Tim (Cone) simply all the time tells us to place our protection first,” stated Perez, who was coming off one other PBA championship run with San Miguel Beer.
“I actually put that in my thoughts, play protection, as a result of even when I don’t rating, the offense will comply with.”
Perez, who was on the bench the whole first half, offered a much-needed prompt the bench for Gilas within the third quarter.
READ: Nonetheless groping for type, Justin Brownlee leads Gilas’ comeback win
Perez was strong on each ends of the ground, doing a little bit of every little thing with seven factors, two rebounds, one help, a steal and a few blocks in simply 11 minutes.
“I’m all the time excited in the case of Gilas. It’s an honor to play at this time and will probably be an honor nonetheless within the coming days.”
Gilas flies to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup, which ideas off August 5.
